At 45, Venus Williams dominates the new stars, igniting the tennis world: Why compare players from different eras?

On a Washington afternoon, 45-year-old Venus Williams stood under the summer sun. Facing 21-year-old Stearns, ranked 35th in the world, the seven-time Grand Slam champion won in straight sets (6-3, 6-4), marking her first singles victory in 16 months. When asked about her comeback, she openly said, “I don’t need to prove anything to anyone; I’m here for myself. No one will fight for me; this path has to be walked by myself.” She humorously added, “I have to come back for the health insurance! You know how it is with healthcare; I always need to see a doctor.” This victory sparked mixed reactions among fans: some marveled at the resilience of the “ageless legend,” while others questioned, “Stearns is ranked 35; I don’t know if the women’s level is just that low now or what.”

Venus’s return has shaken the tennis world. Roddick defended the decision to grant wildcards to the event: “Any well-known player can receive a wildcard. If Roger (Federer) wants to play, you’d give it to him.” He highlighted Venus's irreplaceable value—five-time Wimbledon champion, seven-time Grand Slam winner, and one of the most iconic figures in tennis history. Bouchard reflected after her doubles loss, “It’s both an honor and meaningful to have faced her before her retirement. I told her on the spot: ‘I truly admire you for still competing.’ She is 14 years older than me, yet still fighting; I have nothing but respect for her.”

Since Sharapova's retirement in 2020 and Serena's departure in 2022, women’s tennis has entered a “dull period.” Legendary coach Rick Macci, who trained the Williams sisters, pointed out, “Swiatek is a rising star, but due to nationality issues, she doesn’t have enough commercial value, and with the political controversies, it’s hard for her to become the WTA’s darling.” Looking back at the peak of the Williams sisters, women’s tennis was a “golden era.” The sisters teamed up with Henin and Clijsters to form the “Four Bosses” and created the “American Four Queens” alongside Davenport and Capriati, ushering in an era of aggressive beauty in women’s tennis. The epic Wimbledon final in 2005 between Venus and Davenport is still regarded as a classic in tennis history.

Fans are keen on cross-era comparisons, often claiming “Safina and Dementieva could easily win Grand Slams today,” neglecting the dialectical relationship of competitive environments—battles among contemporaries are not just competition but also catalysts for mutual achievement. This principle is vividly illustrated in the men’s tennis “Big Three,” where Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic’s rivalry pushed each other to their limits. Djokovic once admitted, “Federer and Nadal inspire me. As long as they keep moving forward, I will too. We compete with each other in every aspect, pushing each other to our limits.” This mutual enhancement has allowed the Big Three to dominate men’s tennis for nearly two decades. They have even overshadowed the entire post-90s generation, with Djokovic still competing for Grand Slam titles against younger stars like Sinner and Alcaraz.

The same applies to women’s tennis. The Williams sisters are both family and rivals; they push each other in training and achieve together on the court. In the 2017 Australian Open women’s final, the sisters met for the last time in a Grand Slam final, with Serena claiming her 23rd Grand Slam title. Together, the sisters have won 30 Grand Slam singles titles, a staggering dominance that is truly remarkable.

Technological changes have profoundly altered the nature of tennis. From the gut-string wooden rackets of the early 20th century to the metal rackets of the 1970s, and now to graphite and carbon fiber composite rackets, equipment innovations have enabled players to hit harder and spin the ball more. Today, smart wearables monitor heart rates, racket sensors analyze swing data, and Hawk-Eye systems make precise line calls—technologies that were unimaginable in the past.

Training methods have also undergone revolutionary changes. High-speed cameras capture action details, VR systems simulate match scenarios, and AI analyzes opponents' tactics, allowing modern players to train more precisely and efficiently, but also changing the definition of talent. Players from different eras are all constrained by the training conditions, equipment technology, and competitive environments of their time. Comparing a player “in isolation” across eras is akin to judging a fish’s swimming ability outside of water.

The environment shapes players and also molds their technical characteristics. As Djokovic stated after becoming the all-time leader in Grand Slam titles, “I don’t want to say I’m the greatest player; that statement doesn’t respect the greatness of champions from different eras. Tennis then was completely different from now. The sport evolves through this generational relay, not by simple replacement.”

When 45-year-old Venus swings her racket under the Washington afternoon sun, she is striking not just a tennis ball but also delivering a message across time—greatness is never defined by rankings, but by the courage to face the passage of time without retreating.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Xiao Di)