Happy Tuesday! Venus Williams returns to action while tennis sees a wave of departures including retirements, suspensions, coaching splits, and major withdrawals from the upcoming Canadian Open.

In this week's newsletter:

•  💪 Venus Williams Isn’t Done Yet

• 🎾 Weekly Roundup: Tough Goodbyes

• 🦅 Opinion: The USTA Should Bring Back the US Open Summer Series

🧠 Tennis Trivia Challenge 🧠

Think you know your tennis? Take a swing at this week’s question!

💪 Venus Williams Isn't Done Yet 💪

Venus Williams made a stunning return to professional tennis at age 45, stepping back onto the court at the WTA 500 Mubadala Citi DC Open after 16 months away. The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and four-time Olympic gold medalist teamed up with Hailey Baptiste in doubles, opening their tournament with a commanding 6-3, 6-1 victory. Her comeback follows a stretch of health challenges, including fibroid removal surgery, and marks a personal milestone powered by a renewed joy for the game.

Venus shows no signs of slowing down as she sets her sights on the US Open, submitting an entry for mixed doubles alongside 6-foot-11 compatriot Reilly Opelka. The event debuts a fast-paced, two-day format with modified scoring, a perfect showcase for veterans still hungry to compete.

Her future on tour remains open. With wild card offers from tournament directors like Mark Ein and months of dedicated training under her belt, Venus looks poised to keep making selective appearances. She’ll face World No. 35 Peyton Stearns today in her first round singles match, a tough test that will further signal just how ready she is to compete at the highest level. Her early performance in DC suggests that even as her career’s end nears, she's charging ahead with the same competitive spirit that defines her legacy.

🎾 Weekly Roundup: Tough Goodbyes 🎾

Luciano Darderi claimed the Bastad title, defeating Jesper De Jong in straight sets while Alexander Bublik captured the Gstaad title defeating Juan Manuel Cerúndolo. Loïs Boisson won her first WTA title in Hamburg over Anna Bondar, and Irina-Camelia Begu triumphed on home soil in Iași over Jil Teichmann.

Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jack Draper all withdrew from the National Bank Open in Toronto due to recovery needs and injuries following Wimbledon. Their absence opens up significant opportunities for the likes of Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Lorenzo Musetti, and Holger Rune in the Masters 1000 event.

World No. 6 Zheng Qinwen successfully underwent arthroscopic surgery on her right elbow after months of persistent pain during training and matches. The Olympic champion announced on Instagram that she will focus on rehabilitation over the coming weeks and months, with no specific return timeline announced.

Ons Jabeur announced she's stepping away from professional tennis indefinitely to prioritize her mental and physical health. The three-time Grand Slam finalist admits she hasn't "truly felt happy on court" for some time after struggling with injuries and poor form this season.

Eugenie Bouchard will play her final professional tournament at the National Bank Open in Montreal next month. The former world No. 5 and 2014 Wimbledon finalist chose to end her career where it began, accepting a wild card for her home event.

Jasmine Paolini split with coach Marc López (Rafael Nadal's former coach and doubles partner) after just three months together. Despite winning Rome in singles and Roland-Garros in doubles, disappointing major results in singles likely prompted the coaching change.

Tara Moore received a four-year ban after the ITIA successfully appealed her 2023 clearance. The British player called the anti-doping system "broken" following a roller-coaster case involving a contaminated meat defense that was initially accepted then overturned by the arbitration court.

🦅 Opinion: The USTA Should Bring Back the US Open Summer Series 🦅

The US Open Series was a marketing initiative launched by the USTA in 2004 to elevate and unify North American hard-court tournaments leading up to the US Open. Players accumulated bonus points based on their performance across multiple events, with the top three men and women earning substantial prize money bonuses depending on their series ranking and US Open result. This system created compelling storylines throughout the summer, culminating in Serena Williams' record $4 million payday in 2014 for winning both the series and US Open.

The series ultimately dissolved in 2023 due to television coverage disputes and sponsorship challenges. The Washington Open withdrew in 2015, frustrated by limited ESPN2 coverage of just two hours per tournament weekend. Emirates ended their $90 million sponsorship deal early in 2016, reallocating funds elsewhere. The bonus challenge system was eliminated in 2017, and by 2024, the official website redirected to the US Open, marking the series' quiet end.

Reviving the US Open Series would continue to grow the sport in North America, especially during a period when the NFL, NBA, and NHL are in off-season. With American players like Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Taylor Fritz achieving recent success, domestic tournaments could capitalize on unified promotion now more than ever. Modern streaming platforms could solve previous television coverage issues, while the series format would create exciting narratives and increased prize money that benefits both players and fans seeking engaging summer tennis action.

🎥 Reel of the Week 🎥

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