Celebrated athlete Venus Williams made a surprising return to skilled tennis within the Mubadala Citi DC Open, stepping again onto the courtroom for the primary time in additional than a yr and even making historical past Tuesday night time.
“That is very particular for me to return again and play tennis,” stated Williams. “I feel it’s a shock for the followers, a shock typically, as I maintain my playing cards tight. And you already know on this final yr, I’ve been by means of quite a bit bodily, so to return again and be capable of play, and hopefully get pleasure from myself, is a good alternative.”
The 45-year-old icon who holds 21 Grand Slam titles throughout singles and doubles beat Peyton Stearns, ranked No. 35 on the earth, in straight units throughout the first spherical of the Mubadala Citi DC Open on July 22.
In her first singles victory since 2023, Williams grew to become the oldest individual to win a tour-level match since 47-year-old Martina Navratilova in 2004 at Wimbledon.
Her history-making triumph comes after Monday night time’s success, when she joined forces with hometown favourite Hailey Baptiste to ship a 6-3, 6-1 win over Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue.
“For me, it’s a dream come true,” stated Baptiste. “It’s one thing I in all probability didn’t anticipate to occur in my profession. So to have the chance is simply actually wonderful to me. To have the ability to share the courtroom together with her, even when I used to be taking part in in opposition to her, it might have been wonderful. However to really group together with her and get a win– no phrases.”
For Williams, returning to the courtroom within the nation’s capital has additional particular significance.
“I’m so excited to be right here in D.C.,” stated Williams. Taking part in right here is like taking part in at residence. I’ve an older sister who lives right here and a cousin who lives right here, a number of cousins, a niece, my nice nephew, and on and on… I keep in mind my first time coming right here after I was about 13 years outdated. So positively a love affair with D.C. and likewise an ideal alternative to play within the U.S.”
Together with her long-awaited return to Girls’s Tennis Affiliation (WTA) singles, Williams is ready to face fellow American Peyton Stearns within the first spherical. It is going to be Williams’ first official singles match since March 2024, when she final competed on the Miami Open.
Williams accepted a wild card into the WTA 500 occasion, which marks her second singles look on the match. Her earlier outing got here in 2022, when she fell within the opening spherical to Canadian Rebecca Marino.
Regardless of that outcome, Williams has deep ties to D.C.’s tennis scene, having served because the Marquee Participant for the Washington Kastles in World TeamTennis. She helped lead the group to 5 titles and was a six-time group standout.
The environment was electrical on the John A. Harris Grandstand, with followers and stars current to see the tennis legend’s return. DMV native and NBA champion Kevin Durant was in attendance to witness the second.
Williams’ sharp play and seamless chemistry with Baptiste marked a promising begin to the match, which runs by means of July 27.
With the Mubadala Citi DC Open underway, tennis has been set to redefine the sports activities realm within the nation’s capital.
“Washington continues to solidify its place as one of many premier locations on each the ATP (Affiliation for Tennis Professionals) and WTA excursions,” stated Mark Ein, chairman of the Mubadala Citi Open, in a Might assertion, asserting the preliminary match lineup.
Along with Williams, the match is showcasing a powerful lineup of expertise this yr, together with prime American stars like Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Jessica Pegula, and Coco Gauff.
“I’m simply right here for now, and who is aware of, possibly there’s extra,” stated Williams. “Like I stated, I maintain my playing cards shut, and in the intervening time I’m centered on simply on this. I haven’t performed in a yr there’s little doubt I haven’t performed tennis, however clearly coming again to play matches, it takes time to get again within the swing of issues. I positively really feel I’ll play properly, I’m nonetheless the identical participant.”
