Venus Williams, the esteemed tennis veteran, has strategically planned her trajectory for the upcoming 2024 tennis season. Opting to forego the commencement of her season at the Australian Open, Williams aims to stage her return in March after a series of setbacks and injury-induced challenges plagued her 2023 campaign.
The 2023 season proved to be an arduous journey for Williams as she encountered difficulties progressing beyond the second round in any tournament. Commencing her season at the ASB Classic in Auckland, she faced a defeat in the Round of 16 against Lin Zhu. Unfortunately, an injury sustained during this encounter necessitated her withdrawal from subsequent tournaments, including the Asia-Pacific Major, contributing to an extended hiatus from the court.
Resuming play during the grass swing at the Libema Open in June, Williams endured an early exit after a loss to Celine Naef in the opening round. Despite a victory against Camila Giorgi at the Rothesay Classic, her journey concluded in the Round of 16 against Jelena Ostapenko. Even Wimbledon, an event where Williams historically found success, saw her exit in the first round following a straight-set loss to Elina Svitolina.
The North American hardcourt swing witnessed Williams’ return, participating in the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open, and the US Open. However, her sole triumph emerged at the Cincinnati Open, defeating Veronika Kudermetova amidst struggles with her form and fitness attributed to an injury sustained at Wimbledon.
In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), Williams elucidated on her Wimbledon mishap, citing an unexpected fall that resulted in her subsequent absence from top form during subsequent tournaments. Expressing her focus on recuperation, Williams disclosed her aim to regain fitness by March, coinciding with the commencement of tournaments in the United States.
“I had a crazy fall at Wimbledon. I just slipped and I was out. I tried my best to recover for the US Open. I did not reach my form so now I am just resting until I get back. I am targeting March, that’s when the tournaments go back to the States, so my goal is to be up and running when tournaments come back to the US,” she revealed in the video.
So Vee won’t be playing anymore tournaments this year and is still healing from that fall at Wimbledon 😔
She is planning on returning March next year??(Miami open /Indian Wells) Which means no Australian Open again 😭
Atleast she will return completely healthy ❤️#QueenVee pic.twitter.com/Dasdumms1b
— inspirational ❤️ (@VeeSTARWilliams) October 12, 2023
With a pragmatic approach towards rehabilitation and an eye set on a March comeback aligning with the return of tournaments in the United States, Venus Williams remains resolute in her pursuit to reclaim her prowess on the tennis court. Her absence from the Australian Open signifies a calculated decision aimed at ensuring a stronger, more competitive return in the forthcoming season.
Venus Williams in 2023
LL Currently the world no.413, Venus Williams played her last match on the 29th of August when she lost to world no.60 Greetje Minnen 6-1 6-1 in the 1st round of the U.S. Open (draw).
At the moment, during this season Venus owns a 3-7 match record.
Venus Williams |
| Embed from Getty Images |
