Notes from the Tour: Venus at 45...

Thursday 24th July 2025

Venus Williams is older than me - and she’s still going strong…

The 45-year-old, seven-time Grand Slam champion is back in action on the WTA Tour this week…

Playing without a ranking, the former world no.1 entered WTA Washington without a match win to her name since August 2023.

Last season, Venus only appeared at two tournaments. Both in the States, beaten in the 1st round on both occasions - at Indian Wells and Miami. Finishing the 2024 season with a humbling win-loss record of 0-2…

But this week, Venus Williams is back. Winning her 1st round singles match in Washington, having gone off at 10/1 to beat her 23-year-old countrywoman, Peyton Stearns.

For the love of the game…

While younger sister Serena is officially retired. And fellow Grand Slam greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are out on the golf course. Venus is still prepared to make the physical efforts required to step out on to the pro circuit…

One swallow doesn’t make a summer. But after Williams’ impressive 2-0 win v Stearns earlier this week, the five-time Wimbledon champion is now being given a little more respect by the market…

Venus was 10/1 to beat Stearns. A day or so before the match, when the prices first went up, there was actually some 14/1 about. Not so today…

Late tonight/ early Friday morning UK time, the 45-year-old will take on Polish 27-year-old, Magdalena Frech. The veteran is still the underdog. But this time, the bookies have Venus at 3/1 in the Match Winner market. I wouldn’t put it past her.

In the tournament Outright Winner betting, Williams started the week at 250/1 to win WTA Washington - odds that put the household name right at the bottom of the pile.

Today’s prices now have Venus at 50/1 for the trophy…

If she wins again tonight, the ‘fairytale comeback’ narrative will start to really pick up traction, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Outright price drop down to near 10/1. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. But stranger things have happened…

If you’re up for a late one tonight, Venus Williams v Magdalena Frech is due on court from half-past midnight. The match will be live on Sky Sports Tennis, as well as on live streaming via a funded account at the likes of Bet365.

I’ll be back next week with more big-odds observations for you.

P.S
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Enjoy the tennis…

Best wishes,

Oliver Upstone

Ones to Watch