Tennis legend Venus Williams stunned the crowd at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, delivering a historic performance in her singles comeback at age 45. The seven-time Grand Slam champion defeated World No. 35 Peyton Stearns in straight sets, 6‑3, 6‑4, earning her first singles victory in 16 months.
A Comeback Decades in the Making
Returning after surgery for uterine fibroids and a lengthy rehabilitation period, Williams accepted a wildcard into the WTA 500 event. She had not played singles since the Miami Open in March 2024, nor won a tour match since August 2023.
On Stadium Court, she served nine aces and hit over 110 mph on her first serve. Addressing nerves before the match, she said:
“It’s hard to describe how difficult it is to play a first match after so much time off.”
Setting a Record and Making a Statement
By winning, Williams became the second-oldest woman ever to claim a tour-level singles victory—a feat last achieved by Martina Navratilova in 2004. On the match’s emotional high point, she reflected:
“I’m just constantly praying for good health, so that way I could have an opportunity to play with good health.”
After clinching victory on her sixth match point, Williams spun in her now-iconic pirouette and waved to the fans in a standing‑ovation moment.
Shared Court, Shared Victory
Williams teamed up with Hailey Baptiste in doubles earlier that evening, defeating Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue, 6‑3, 6‑1. In a post-match interview, Baptiste shared:
“To have the opportunity is just really amazing to me … To actually team with her and get a win—no words.”
What Comes Next
Williams will face Poland’s Magdalena Fręch in round two, while Baptiste and Williams remain in the doubles draw. Chair Mark Ein praised her return, calling it a celebration:
“She has inspired people around the world with her accomplishments … I know how much it means to our D.C. fans and community.”
A Night of Legacy and Inspiration
The Washington crowd flocked to witness Williams’s return. NBA star Kevin Durant was in attendance, reflecting the excitement swirling around the event. Fellow players, including Naomi Osaka, voiced admiration—Osaka declared “My queen” to honor Williams’s milestone.
In one brief exchange, Williams quipped on her physical resilience:
“Why not?!” — a fitting answer to the question of why she returned at 45.