WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Venus Williams will make her return from a 16-month layoff at this week’s DC Open, but the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion said Sunday she is not sure of anything beyond that.

The 45-year-old American overcame a serious health scare last year and after enjoying a visit to Wimbledon decided to accept a wildcard into the United States (US) capital tournament, the first hardcourt tuneup for the US Open.

“I think I know what I want to do, but I don’t always want to talk about it,” Williams said. “I’m just here for now. And who knows? Maybe there is more. I hold my cards close, but at the moment, I’m focused just on this.”

Williams will open against 23-year-old American Peyton Stearns, ranked 34th in the world. Stearns won her only Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) title last year on clay at Rabat.

The older sister of 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams has not played since a first-round loss at Miami last year.

“My personal goal is to have fun I think right now and enjoy the moment, not put too much pressure on myself,” Venus Williams said.

“I don’t know if I define success at this moment in any sort of way other than believing in myself and sticking to my process. That’s not easy to do, especially after a layoff. So those are my goals.”

Venus Williams, the 2000 Sydney Olympic singles champion, has won five Wimbledon singles titles and two US Open crowns.

The most recent of her 49 WTA titles came in 2019 at the Taiwan Open. That was the last year she played a full tour schedule.

“I definitely feel I’ll play well,” Williams said. “I’m still the same player. I’m a big hitter. I hit big. This is my brand.

“So it’s about hitting big and actually putting it in. So this will be my effort. Put it in the court. That’s my main goal.”

A year ago, tennis was far from the most important thing on her mind.

“Yeah, my health journey was very scary. You know, this time a year ago I was preparing to go to surgery,” she said. “There was no way for me to play tennis or play the US Open… I was just trying to get healthy.

“In this last year, I have been through a lot physically, so to come back and be able to play and hopefully enjoy myself is a great opportunity.”