Venus Williams, the former world No. 1 and seven-time major singles champion, remains a formidable presence in the world of tennis. Despite being 45 years old, she continues to defy expectations and inspire fans worldwide. Speaking at a news conference ahead of the Cincinnati Open, Williams expressed uncertainty about her future beyond the upcoming US Open but hinted that she is far from done with the sport.

"I'm very much in the moment," Williams said when asked about next season. "I don't think you should ever rule me out. That's all I can say."

Williams, who received a wild card for the Cincinnati Open, has been focusing on the North American summer hard-court season. She has also been granted a wild card to participate in the newly revamped mixed doubles tournament, partnering with fellow American Reilly Opelka. Additionally, she is expected to receive a wild card for the singles draw at the US Open, with announcements anticipated next week.

Before her return to competition at last month's Citi Open in Washington D.C., Williams had not played since March 2024, leading to speculation about her retirement. She revealed that she underwent surgery to remove uterine fibroids last August, which significantly impacted her physical condition. "I was nowhere near playing professional tennis at the time," she admitted. However, her determination and love for the game have driven her remarkable comeback.

Williams' return to the court has been met with overwhelming support from fans. She won her first-round match at the 500-level event in July with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Peyton Stearns and was victorious in her opening-round doubles match with partner Hailey Baptiste. "The fan response to my return and my performance has been so sweet and so motivating," Williams said.

Reflecting on her career, Williams made her professional debut in 1994 and won her first major singles title at Wimbledon in 2000. Throughout her illustrious career, she has won 49 singles titles, 14 Grand Slam doubles titles alongside her younger sister Serena, 2 mixed doubles crowns, and 5 Olympic medals, including four golds. Serena, a 23-time major singles champion, retired from professional tennis in 2022.

Currently ranked No. 643, Williams will face Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the first round at the Cincinnati Open. Her journey continues to inspire, proving that age is just a number in the world of tennis.