Venus Williams wins 1st singles match in 2 years
Digest more
SportsLine tennis expert Blake Von Hagen reveals his 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open picks for Tuesday's women's first-round match between Peyton Stearns and Venus Williams
The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion had not played a WTA Tour match since March of 2024 and had not won one since 2023.
Venus Williams, won her first singles match in more than a year at age 45, has highlighted the phenomenon of older athletes playing at an elite level.
Venus Williams, 45, became the oldest player in 21 years to win a WTA Tour match after a straight-set win in the DC Open over Peyton Stearns.
Williams, one of the all-time great tennis players, participated in the DC Open for her first professional match in over a year, and the 45-year-old wasn't just there to play, she was there to compete. Williams defeated world No. 35 Peyton Stearns for her first win since August 2023.