Remember the last time Venus Williams graced the court? The 2024 Miami Open, where she suffered a first-round exit against Diana Shnaider. Since then, speculation about her retirement has intensified, especially as she took up commentary duties at Roland Garros. But now, as the American hard-court swing ignites, the 45-year-old icon is ready to step back into the fire. The Citi DC Open marks her return, and fate has scripted a thrilling first-round clash against a 23-year-old American trailblazer, setting the stage for a generational showdown packed with grit, legacy, and unshakable fire.

Per the Mubadala Citi DC Open draw, the icon will face fellow American Peyton Stearns in a highly-anticipated first-round match this week. For Stearns, it’s a maiden showdown against the seven-time Grand Slam champion. The 23-year-old has been blazing her own path, cracking a career-high ranking of No. 28 earlier this season and storming into her first WTA 1000 semifinal on clay at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

While she has only competed in the Citi Open once—losing in the first round in 2022—Williams is well-acquainted with Washington, D.C. As a key figure for the Washington Kastles, she served as their Marquee Player on six occasions and helped the team to five World TeamTennis championships.

Earlier this year, Venus Williams chose not to accept a wildcard for Indian Wells, stating she would be “overseas.” Officially listed as “inactive” on the WTA website, the former world No.1 currently holds no ranking. Still, that hasn’t stopped her from reigniting her competitive fire, setting her sights on the Citi DC Open with unshakable intent.

“There’s something truly special about DC – the energy, the fans, the history,” said Williams in a statement. “This city has always shown me so much love and I can’t wait to compete there again.” Her words echoed like a battle cry, stirring memories of past glory.

But just as the excitement swelled, Venus showed a troubling sign, one that fans hadn’t braced for. In the lead-up to her long-awaited return, the tennis icon revealed a moment that sparked concern, injecting uncertainty into what was supposed to be a triumphant comeback tale.

Venus Williams reveals worrying update on health condition

Venus Williams has battled more than just opponents on the court; she’s fought through the pain of fibroids, a condition marked by severe symptoms like intense cramps, nausea, and heavy periods. Though she had long known something was wrong, her frustration mounted when her doctor failed to connect the dots between her symptoms and the actual diagnosis. In an emotional interview with TODAY, Williams didn’t hold back her disappointment.

“It just got too bad, and I couldn’t handle it,” Williams said. “(I started) taking something a lot stronger that was prescription, which is not ideal because it’s hard to train on that or be in your right mind. I’m sharing now because I was outraged that I didn’t know this was possible. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. No one should have to go through this.”

She’s battled this condition since 2011, often in silence. One of the most memorable moments came during the 2016 Wimbledon Championships, where she was scheduled to play the women’s doubles final with Serena, despite being in immense discomfort.

The physical toll on her body has sidelined her from tennis multiple times, and her road back hasn’t been easy. Yet, as always, Venus remains unbreakable.

Now, with a thunderous 1st-round showdown against Peyton Stearns at the Mubadala Citi DC Open looming, what do you think lies ahead for the tennis icon? Share your thoughts below!