Tennis legend in dramatic transformation as fans struggle to recognise ex-Wimbledon champ

You'd assume a seven-time Grand Slam champion would be recognised everywhere they go, but one tennis legend caught fans off guard with her appearance on a TV show

View 2 Images

Tennis legend Venus Williams has left fans stunned with her new look after appearing on a TV show. The seven-time Grand Slam champion turned heads as she arrived on the Jennifer Hudson Show sporting a striking outfit.

Venus burst onto the scene by reaching the 1997 US Open final as a teenager before capturing her first Grand Slam crown at Wimbledon three years later. The 45-year-old has secured seven major singles titles throughout her illustrious career and would likely have won many more had she not been competing alongside her younger sister Serena.

The former world No. 1 remains an icon of the sport as she continues her tennis career. However, Venus surprised many fans with a dramatically different outfit from her typical on-court attire.

Ahead of her appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show, Venus participated in the programme's iconic Spirit Tunnel Walk, which has generated numerous viral moments. She strutted down the makeshift catwalk wearing an oversized red suit paired with silver high heels and her hair fashioned with a fringe.

One shocked viewer wrote: "I had no idea that was her. Am I the only one?" Another social media user posted: "Haven't seen her in such a long time, I had to read the caption, Venus looks good."

A third supporter said: "I didn't know who it was until reading the name wow." A fourth chimed in: "She looks totally different. I didn't realise it was her."

A fifth complimented Venus' new style: "Sis idk that was u but looking good." While another viewer simply posted: "I didn't recognise her."

Venus, whose career has been plagued by injuries in recent years, made a comeback to the US Open in August after a 16-month hiatus. During her appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show, she opened up about the mix of emotions she experienced during her first-round defeat to Karolina Muchova.

"Honestly, frightening. Yes, it was so stressful," she admitted. "I know that I can play but it's [another] thing to get out there and execute, execute quickly with not a lot of time to get it right."

"And also going into it, my body had let me down so many times, I was also in a lot of ways kind of recovering from trauma.

View 2 Images

"When I got out there, I didn't really believe in my body and it makes you believe less in yourself."

Despite the challenges, Venus found the experience enlightening. She added: "I had a lot of learnings, actually, this summer.

"It was thrilling, exhilarating, frightening, but I loved every minute of it. I learned so much. It was just one of the best times of my life."