Venus Williams-ST

Picture Credit: Twitter

Weeks before the 2022 Wimbledon Open, former World number one Venus Williams has decided to pull out of the Championships. While talking during a question and answer session with her fans on Instagram, the former World Number 1 opened up about playing at Wimbledon this year.

One of the fans asked her, “Queen, it’s time you let us know. Are you playing Wimbledon? We miss you so much.” To which Venus replied, “Well, so no, I’m not playing. Will be watching, watching Serena.”

Venus Williams last played at the WTA Chicago Women’s Open in August 2021 where she lost in the opening round. But on the other hand, her sister Serena Williams is ready to come back to pro-tennis at the LTA’s Rothesay International and then play in the All England Open. 

The tournament released a statement about Serena’s return and said, “The LTA is pleased to announce that tennis superstar Serena Williams is set to make her first tournament appearance in almost a year when she will pair up with Tunisia’s world No.4 Ons Jabeur for the doubles event of the LTA’s Rothesay International at Eastbourne next week having received a wildcard.”

Similarly, Venus Williams also expressed excitement about her return to pro-tennis. She said, “I am excited to return to the Rothesay International tournament in England and to be back on the grass - a surface that has been so good to me throughout my career. Eastbourne has a unique charm that you don’t see anywhere else on Tour and I’m looking forward to playing in front of the fans again.”

Tournament Director Gavin Fletcher also talked about Serena’s return and said, “On behalf of everyone at the LTA we are delighted to warmly welcome Serena back to the Rothesay International and the fabulous setting of Devonshire Park, Eastbourne. This year’s line-up is proving absolutely stellar, where having Serena here will be the icing on the cake and personally, I’m sure I speak for many in that we can’t wait to see her play again.”

But entering this season, Serena will be without her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou as the duo parted ways. Mouratoglou then went to join Simona Halep’s team. Hence, the American icon has taken the help of her elder sister’s coach, Eric Hechtman, who will be her coach ahead of this month’s Wimbledon Championships.