Venus Williams Debuts New Look, Hints at Tennis Comeback

MIAMI, Fla. — Tennis legend Venus Williams unveiled a striking new hairstyle this week, trading her signature braids for sleek, straight hair. The 44-year-old athlete shared her transformation on Instagram, captioning the post, “Ciao for now to my braids.” The new look, achieved through a process called the “Silk Press,” comes just days after Williams was spotted enjoying a Bahamas vacation with actor-producer Andrea Preti.

Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, has not officially retired from professional tennis. Despite limited tournament appearances in recent years, she has expressed a desire to continue playing on her own terms. In 2024, she competed in only two events—Indian Wells and another unspecified tournament—exiting in the first round of both. However, her recent Instagram posts suggest she is back in training, fueling speculation of a potential comeback.

In one post, Williams was seen performing stretching exercises in a lavender outfit, while another showed her in motion on the court with the caption, “Ready Set Go!” These images follow her vacation photos from the Bahamas, where she and Preti enjoyed beach time and relaxation.

In an interview with The Irish News, Williams hinted at her future plans. “I’m not done with the racket yet,” she said. “At this point, it’s about picking and choosing places I want to be. Last year, I really wanted to play in Miami—home—because I hadn’t played there in like five years.” She emphasized that her game remains at a high level, even when she’s not actively competing on the tour.

Williams also spoke about the importance of self-care, a priority as she navigates her career and personal life. “Taking care of myself—that’s so important,” she said. “Taking those moments to just breathe, take care of yourself. Whether that’s moving, how you think, how you eat? So that’s like what I’m prioritizing these days.”

As of early 2025, Williams has not announced any specific tournaments she plans to participate in. However, her return to training and her recent social media activity have sparked interest among fans and analysts alike. With her enduring passion for the sport and commitment to maintaining her fitness, a professional comeback could be on the horizon.