“Serena Williams told me I couldn’t quit”

Venus Williams has confirmed she will compete in this year’s WTA 1000 events in Miami and Indian Wells.

Williams has rarely appeared in games recently. She won just three of 10 matches in 2023, her last appearance coming at the U.S. Open, where she exited in the first round.

While the 43-year-old was expected to return to competition early this season, she withdrew from the Australian Open and said she was targeting a comeback at the US Open in March.

Now, Williams has confirmed she will compete in Indian Wells and Miami later this year, two tournaments she has not competed in since 2019.

“One of my big goals is to play in the United States, the Miami Open and the Indian Wells Open. I haven’t played there since 2019 due to injury. It’s been a long time. What’s next? The tournament will be held in 2024 and there are a lot of “I haven’t played at home for many years. So that’s certainly one of my big goals coming up, is to show up and be ready. There are plenty of goals left on the pitch,” she said in a statement. video Posted on X (formerly Twitter)

“My sister Serena told me I wasn’t allowed to quit and of course I would never quit. But that was the order and she said no. So I will be back on the court,” she added.

“Venus Williams will retire when she’s ready; she has nothing to offer” – former coach Rick March

2023 is Venus Williams’ 30th season on the WTA Tour. At 43, she’s not showing any signs of retiring, although calls for her to do so have been growing recently, especially after her sister Serena Williams ends her career in 2022.

Rick March, the Williams sisters’ former coach, said recently that Venus’ enthusiasm is as strong as ever and that she would only withdraw voluntarily and not because of any outside influence or pressure.

“She loves to play. It’s must-see TV. Everybody loves V. Whenever she wants to do it, she’s going to do it. When she’s ready, she’s going to do it (retire). She just loves to play, She just loves being “out there. I mean she has nothing to offer,” he said on an episode of Canada’s Match Point podcast.