New York – This is a given coverage and attention is dedicated Venus Williams‘Return to the US Open, where the game begins on Sunday, focused – and will focus – how old it is. American, finally, 45, an age, on which no one has competed in a singles in New York since 1981 (when Renny Richards set a record at the age of 47).
He, in itself, is notable.
And yet there is a lot that is important about his first appearance in a Grand Slam tournament over two years, even though Williams meet at Arthur Ash Stadium on Monday night. Karolina Muchova2023 French Open Runner-Up and two-time semi-finalists in New York.
Williams said on Saturday, “I want to be my best, and that’s hope I am for myself: to get the best for me. And all this player can ask.” “I have not played much as other players, so this is a different challenge when you are working with it. So I am just trying to have fun, stay comfortable and be my personal best.”
Williams returned it in July, 16 months after playing an official match in 16 months and after less than a year, when he underwent surgery for uterine fibroids.
Venus Williams is in a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in 2 years
“This is really, I would say, inspiring,” Naomi Osaka27, four -time Grand Slam Champion. “My only thing is: I don’t really like how every headline mentions his age. … We all know how old he is. But it is more widespread [significance] – How much legend he is in this game. ,
Williams and her younger sister Serena, whose final match came to the flushing meadows in 2022 as a supporter, represents an indelible chapter in the history of tennis, yes, but a large meaning and even in American society.
He only crossed scores and statistics and victory-and-loss leaders, and made much more than this, including Venus’ in favor of the same prize money for women in Wimbledon.
“He is one of the best athletes of all time,” twice US Open Semi -finalist Francis tiafo Said. “Her and her sister, they are not only great for women’s games, not only great for women’s games, but they are very distinguished.”
Their story is repeating: Two siblings were first taught tennis by their self-centered father and both not only made it on a professional tour, but both reached the number 1 in the rankings and won the most important trophies in their global sport.
“People, I think,” Osaka said, “they should give a little more value.”
Osaka will grow up seeing Williams sisters, then competed against them.
So many other women, such as Coco goffWho first declared himself into the world by defeating Venus in Wimbledon in 2019. After that match, just 15 – he said that he thanked Venus, “Whatever he did” and said to reporters: “I wouldn’t have been here if it’s not for him.”
2021 US Open Runner-Up Leyla Fernandez Said. “It’s not to prove people wrong, but this is because she really loves the game – and you can see that child. I like that.”
In fact, it was asked why she would be upset with playing, Williams replied: “Why not?”
Williams collected five single trophies in Wimbledon and also won the US Open in 2000 and 2001. It differs from 14 Grand Slam titles in women’s doubles – all Serena – and in two mixed doubles, one incident she returned to Flushing Meadows this week.
Since Williams’ sisters came to the spot – Venus made her professional debut in 1994, when she was 14 years old; Serena, who is at the age of 15, will soon follow and end up with 23 major single titles – she set an example for children who looked like them and wanted to play tennis.
Last month in Washington, Williams felt proud to see that when she played, three black women were competing in the court – and won – a doubles match during the first event of her return.
“It’s surprising that now African-American girls know that they can play tennis, that is an option, an opportunity for them, also, in court, whatever capacity,” he said, “he said,” You meet for professionals, whether you play college or you just learn from sports. “
