![United’s CEO Led The Industry In Eliminating Change Fees — Then Quietly Raised One [Roundup]](https://viewfromthewing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/20250218_134423.jpg?#)
Venus Williams must pay $250 to continue tennis career after rejecting wildcard to pursue other ventures
It’s been almost 12 months since Venus Williams last played professional tennis. As a result, the 44-year-old is running the risk of being deemed inactive by the WTA due to her lack of competition appearances across the last year. Venus Williams last appeared in a major final in 2017GETTY After declining a wildcard at Indian Wells, and according to the BBC, at the Miami Open as well, Williams has had ample opportunities to make her return to tennis but has opted against it. Williams last Grand Slam appearance was at the 2023 US Open and her last victory at any level came against Veronika Kudermetova in Cincinnati two weeks before that. In fact, the last time the seven-time Grand Slam champion played a full schedule on the tour was in 2019. Much of Williams’ time off the court has been occupied by her business commitments — she owns the interior design company V Starr. Williams explained at the time of her rejecting her Indian Wells wildcard that it was due to other obligations she had. It’s for these reasons that some we may never see Williams on a court again. As of March 2025, the five-time Wimbledon champion is ranked world No. 1,151. Even her status on tour is diminished. Williams has not played frequently enough to qualify as either a full or associate member of the WTA Tour this year, and will be deemed inactive come the end of Match. To play again she would need to fill out an annual player form and find a $250 administration fee. Venus Williams rejected her wildcard to play at Indian Wells in MarchGetty Venus Williams is one of the most successful tennis players of all-timeGetty Williams is not even subjected to the same stringent drug-testing rules that many of the top WTA players face. In June 2024, she was removed from the international registered testing pool, meaning she no longer needs to submit details of her daily whereabouts. The fact she has not officially called it quits at the age of 44 is a remarkable feat in and of itself, especially given her physical circumstances. In 2019, she was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune condition which can cause fatigue and joint pain. In spite of this, the BBC report it’s likely we may even see Williams play at Wimbledon this year. Should Williams request a wildcard for Wimbledon, where she is nine-time major champion across singles and doubles, it’s unlikely it would be rejected, and so another chapter might yet be written in her already illustrious career.
It’s been almost 12 months since Venus Williams last played professional tennis.
As a result, the 44-year-old is running the risk of being deemed inactive by the WTA due to her lack of competition appearances across the last year.
After declining a wildcard at Indian Wells, and according to the BBC, at the Miami Open as well, Williams has had ample opportunities to make her return to tennis but has opted against it.
Williams last Grand Slam appearance was at the 2023 US Open and her last victory at any level came against Veronika Kudermetova in Cincinnati two weeks before that.
In fact, the last time the seven-time Grand Slam champion played a full schedule on the tour was in 2019.
Much of Williams’ time off the court has been occupied by her business commitments — she owns the interior design company V Starr.
Williams explained at the time of her rejecting her Indian Wells wildcard that it was due to other obligations she had.
It’s for these reasons that some we may never see Williams on a court again.
As of March 2025, the five-time Wimbledon champion is ranked world No. 1,151.
Even her status on tour is diminished.
Williams has not played frequently enough to qualify as either a full or associate member of the WTA Tour this year, and will be deemed inactive come the end of Match.
To play again she would need to fill out an annual player form and find a $250 administration fee.
Williams is not even subjected to the same stringent drug-testing rules that many of the top WTA players face.
In June 2024, she was removed from the international registered testing pool, meaning she no longer needs to submit details of her daily whereabouts.
The fact she has not officially called it quits at the age of 44 is a remarkable feat in and of itself, especially given her physical circumstances.
In 2019, she was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune condition which can cause fatigue and joint pain.
In spite of this, the BBC report it’s likely we may even see Williams play at Wimbledon this year.
Should Williams request a wildcard for Wimbledon, where she is nine-time major champion across singles and doubles, it’s unlikely it would be rejected, and so another chapter might yet be written in her already illustrious career.
