How outrageous is the fake news in the tennis world? Fabricated stories have been widely shared, and even domestic sources have fallen for it.

Recently, a statement related to Venus Williams has gone viral online. It is said that she claimed if Serena Williams returns to professional tennis, she could potentially make it back into the WTA singles top 10. Is this bold statement true? Let's uncover the facts together.

On July 23, the "TENNISCentel" page on X (formerly Twitter) posted a photo of Venus Williams at a press conference, with the caption suggesting this was a statement from the former world number one and seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams.

“I really admire the current female players; they work incredibly hard, but I believe if my sister returns, she can be in the top ten, even the top five. She would definitely be a contender in any Grand Slam event. That’s what I believe,” Venus reportedly said.

As of this writing, the post has received over 100 shares and more than 1,000 likes, indicating its widespread reach. Even on Chinese social media, numerous bloggers have shared this news. However, it is important to note that "TENNISCentel" is a humorous satire page focused on tennis, and the content on the page, especially regarding quotes, is almost always false.

Currently, Venus Williams is competing in Washington. Although she has participated in several press conferences and on-court interviews during this mixed ATP and WTA 500 event, the 45-year-old veteran has never mentioned anything about Serena potentially returning to the WTA top 10. Therefore, this bold statement has no factual basis.

However, Venus did express at a press conference in Washington that she misses her sister Serena. During a pre-tournament press conference, Venus was asked whether Serena had considered a comeback. This question stemmed from a social media video shared by Serena, in which the retired former world number one and 23-time Grand Slam singles champion was seen hitting balls.

In response, Venus said, “I always tell my team: ‘If she were here, everything would be better,’ because we always do everything together, so of course, I miss her. If she comes back, I believe she will let you know.”

The 45-year-old veteran partnered with compatriot Barty in the women’s doubles in Washington, ultimately stopping in the quarterfinals. In singles, Venus defeated Stearns in the first round but lost to Frech in the second round.

When Venus announced her return at 45, it shocked the entire tennis community, and her victory over Stearns on Tuesday made her the oldest woman to win a WTA-level match in 21 years, creating even more buzz. However, fifth seed Frech demonstrated greater stability, eliminating the seven-time Grand Slam champion in 72 minutes, and she will next face third seed Rybakina for a spot in the semifinals.

Venus Williams' comeback journey will continue, with her next stop being the Cincinnati Open next month, where she has received a wildcard entry.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)