“Absolute disgrace”: Venus Williams' comeback sparks heated debate as fans divided over wildcard entry at DC Open

Former world number one Venus Williams is set to return to the court after a gap of more than one year. She will feature in the first round of the DC Open and will face fellow American player Peyton Stearns on Monday. This will be Venus’ first match since Indian Wells 2024, where she lost in the round of 128 to Japan’s Nao Hibino with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.

The development was shared on social media by the Tennis Channel, which sent the internet into a frenzy as people expressed their support and resentment after Williams was given a wildcard entry into the competition.

A user under the post said that Peyton should have an easy win. “I feel for Peyton having to play her. Should be an easy win for her,” the user wrote. Another one predicted Peyton to win without losing a single game. “An easy double bagels for Stearns,” the other user wrote. The third one stated that Venus will be eliminated after losing the first. “Am sure she’s going to be eliminated in her first match :-).” The fourth user expressed surprise that Venus has not yet retired from the sport. “I thought Venus retired years ago lmao,” the user wrote.

A user with the username of @Evilsexy54 accused Venus of being a ‘glory hound’. “Hasn’t played in a year and is 45 now why cant this has been glory hound retire??????,” he wrote. Another person, with the username @foxfilms2, criticised the tournament organisers for giving a wildcard entry to a player aged 45. “Absolute disgrace that the tournament would consider a wildcard for this. Zero leadership on either tour. Absolute embarrassment lately. Billionaire buying ATP points and now this farce. Tennis needs a commissioner a decade ago. Venus should be ashamed. Disgraceful,” the user mentioned.

One user called the decision of the organisers ‘ridiculous’, whereas the other one stated that Venus receiving all the hate is because of her decision not to retire. “Just ridiculous and I don't agree with it. There got be a rule about this,” a user wrote. “The disrespect you’re seeing here is aided and abetted by the ridiculous stubbornness of the legend. She has nothing more to prove,” another one explained.

The post also included messages of support for Venus. A person with the username @alecadabra stated that replies under the post were ‘insane’ and that if there was one person who deserved a wildcard entry, it was Venus. “The replies here are insane. Venus is a 7 time major champ, not to mention 14 doubles majors and THREE olympic golds. she’s also brought women’s tennis an incredibly long way. if anyone deserves a wildcard, it’s her,” he wrote.

A user with the name Sergio Ramos Tennis (@sergioramosIII) was of the opinion that most people who show hate towards Venus do not understand tennis. “Most posting don’t understand tennis. VW is a legend! Reached the highest level, win grand slams, and came from the bottom to the top. For all who dont know tennis this is very normal for long time great players to be given wild cards. Its the respectful thing to do and normal,” the user wrote.

Other users showed support for Venus by stating that she is a legend and must be respected for her contributions to the sport. “Venus is a legend. Why is this reply section so miserable?,” one user questioned. “The disrespect on this idiotic comment section is outrageous,” the other one mentioned.

Interestingly, Venus is not only featured in the singles category. She is playing the doubles event with fellow American Hailey Baptiste. The two will feature in the opening round fixture against the pair of Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue. In the singles category, Venus will face Stearns for the first time in her career. This year, Stearns has featured in 32 singles matches, winning 17 and losing 15.