Venus Williams is gearing up for a much-anticipated return to professional tennis after more than a year away from the court. Her remarkable career, spanning over two decades, has made her a towering figure in the sport and a source of inspiration for athletes around the world. While some details in the popular narrative overstate her Grand Slam success, Venus’s true achievements remain awe-inspiring. She has secured seven Grand Slam singles titles, including five Wimbledon and two US Open victories, along with a remarkable record in doubles play alongside her sister Serena Williams. Together, the Williams sisters have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, solidifying their dominance in both singles and doubles tennis.

An important correction to make is that Venus’s tally of 49 Grand Slam titles is inaccurate when referring exclusively to singles. In fact, Venus’s accomplishments include seven major singles titles, fourteen in doubles, and three in mixed doubles, totaling 24 major titles — still an extraordinary feat. Throughout her career, Venus has also reached numerous Grand Slam finals and semifinals, proving her consistency at the highest level of the sport.

Venus’s impact transcends the trophy cabinet. She entered professional tennis in 1994 as a teenage prodigy and quickly emerged as a powerful force on the circuit. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, she helped revolutionize women’s tennis with her aggressive playing style, electric serve, and imposing physical presence, setting new standards of athleticism and competitiveness. Venus and Serena broke barriers not only on the court but off it as well, confronting racial prejudices and championing equal prize money for women in tennis. Their advocacy was pivotal in the sport’s progress towards gender equality, inspiring a generation of players—both women and men—with their perseverance and principle.

Venus’s career has been shaped by resilience as much as skill. A devastating diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome in 2011, an autoimmune disease that saps energy and causes joint pain, threatened her ability to continue playing at the elite level. Yet she battled back with remarkable determination, returning to compete regularly on the WTA Tour and even making deep runs in Grand Slam tournaments, including a memorable semifinal appearance at Wimbledon in 2017, when she was nearly 37 years old and long past what many would consider a player’s prime.

Throughout her journey, Venus has demonstrated a distinctive combination of power, grace, and mental toughness. She revolutionized the sport with her athleticism and on-court strategy, inspiring many contemporary players such as Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff. Her towering serve—once regarded as one of the fastest and most accurate in the game—alongside her aggressive net play and court coverage, often left opponents in awe.

Her career is also deeply intertwined with her sister Serena’s, creating one of the most captivating sibling rivalries in sports history. Their matches have been about more than just tennis; they represent family, identity, and the broader challenges of overcoming adversity. Off the court, Venus is a successful entrepreneur, having launched her own interior design firm and clothing line. She also champions a variety of philanthropic efforts, advocating for education and equality.

At 45, Venus’s planned return is more than just a comeback; it symbolizes a deep love for tennis and a refusal to be defined by age or illness. Few athletes have managed to stay relevant and competitive over such a long timespan, and her attempt to lace up once more reminds us all of the enduring spirit that defines true greatness in sport. Beyond the scoreboard, Venus embodies resilience, passion, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence, inspiring fans and players alike.

As she prepares to step back onto the court, the tennis world holds its breath with anticipation, eager to witness the grace and power that have characterized her career. Will she rekindle the magic that made her a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and a trailblazer for women’s sport? Whatever the outcome, Venus Williams’s ongoing journey is a testament to her indomitable spirit, fierce determination, and lasting legacy as one of tennis’s all-time greats.