Venus Williams has arrived at the BNP Paribas Open, where she’ll play her first match since last year’s US Open. Fans are buzzing with excitement to witness the tennis icon back in action, and emotions ran high as she graciously signed autographs courtside over the weekend.
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The road back to competition hasn’t been easy for Williams. She suffered a knee injury during a volley early in her first-round match at Wimbledon 2023. Despite the seriousness of the injury, Williams’ determination led her to enter three more tournaments. However, her body eventually called for a break, forcing her to take an extended hiatus from the game. Now, after a long-awaited return, she is ready to take on the Sunshine Swing for the first time since 2019.
Fans eagerly awaited Venus’ presence courtside during her practice sessions at Indian Wells. As she approached them to sign autographs, the crowd erupted in applause. With her hands on her heart, Venus humbly expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much.” The overwhelming support from the fans led to a heartfelt moment, with one fan exclaiming, “Venus, you’re awesome. We appreciate you.” Touched by the gesture, Venus responded, “You’re making me cry.”
As a wildcard entry at the BNP Paribas Open, Venus is set to face a qualifier in the first round. If she advances, she will face seed No.17 Veronika Kudermetova in the second round.
