Venus Williams, 44, hasn’t played a professional match for a year since Miami Open in March 2024. However, the 7-time Major queen shocked the tennis community on Wednesday with a huge update on her comeback. And that, too, with a WTA event she previously refused to compete at, 15 years ago. Often dubbed as the “fifth Slam,” due to the massive attendance of fans, the Indian Wells Masters will act as the launch pad for Williams to give her career a new flight. But guess what? There appears to be a lack of hype among tennis lovers ahead of her on-court return this season. The question is – why are fans not happy over their favorite star’s comeback?

On Wednesday, it was revealed that Williams has accepted a wildcard for her participation at the Indian Wells Masters. Due to an extended time away from tennis, her ranking – 974 as of now – isn’t impressive enough to get her a direct entry in the main draw of the event. At the 2023 Wimbledon, she sustained a knee injury in the first round against Elina Svitolina. Since then, she’s been in a recovery period. With a wildcard, she will now make her 10th overall appearance in Indian Wells.

Speaking of her record at the event, Williams has managed to make impressive runs here. On three occasions (1998, 2001, and 2018) she succeeded in reaching the semis. Before the confirmation of her return in 2025, the WTA star had posted a cryptic update on Instagram. She was seen working out on the court while sparking speculations of her comeback. “Lavender afternoons 💜,” she wrote in the caption without sharing any other details.

Hours later, her Indian Wells wildcard entry was confirmed. However, fans on social media are hardly overjoyed by this news. Seems like they are least impressed by the fact that Venus is coming back as a wildcard. But what’s their major issue?

Fans believe Venus Williams doesn’t deserve a wildcard, and here’s why

Outraged by the news of Venus Williams‘ on-court return after receiving a wildcard, one fan wrote on X, “What a waste of a wild card. A young player starting out deserves the chance more. Time for Vee to retire.” The reason behind this reaction could be the fact that the 44-year-old has failed to deliver a great performance lately.

Before going on a recovery break, she couldn’t make deep runs at any event whatsoever. After Wimbledon in 2023, where she lost against Svitolina in the first round, Williams even competed at the Cincinnati Masters. But she couldn’t move past the R32 after losing to Qinwen Zheng. Then at the US Open, she failed to go past the first round and lost against Belgian’s Greet Minnen.

Even when she came back last season, she couldn’t capitalize on her wildcard entry at the Indian Wells Masters. In the 2024 edition, Venus was ousted in the first round itself. Japan’s Nao Hibino beat her 2-6, 6-3, 6-0. Another individual reflected on her on-court struggles and wrote, “6-0 6-0. She’s a legend but it’s time for her to retire. Give her a wild card to her final tournament as a send off but enough of these as free wins for her opponent. You’re taking a spot away from a deserving player”

“What a waste of WC – so unfair to field of upcoming stars!” wrote one fan, claiming that instead of her, some unknown and young talent should have got the wildcard opportunity. Meanwhile, one user highlighted the challenges of a growing age for 44-year-old Williams. “At this point, retirement should be priority. I mean she barely moves well on court!”

On the other hand, one fan made a straight-up prediction for her return in 2025. Do they believe she will succeed? Not at all. “First round exit,” wrote the user. And it needs no explanation why. Considering her year-long track record, it seems a possibility. After getting eliminated in the first round of the Indian Wells last 2024, she was then ousted in the very first encounter of the next event in Miami. Playing against Diana Shnaider, Venus failed to leave a solid impression. Shnaider beat her in straight sets with a score line of 6-3, 6-3.

What are your thoughts on Williams’ prospects in 2025? Can she really silence her critics with a promising return this time? Let us know in the comments below.