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Venus Williams were all smiles after his first win on DC open On Tuesday.
45-year-old tennis Star made an unexpected return to the tennis court this week, 16 months after her last professional competition. With a dominant victory over American Peyton Stearns, she became the oldest woman since Martina Navratilova to win a singles stream.
Venus Williams hits a forhand against Peyton Stearns in a woman’s single match at Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center on July 22, 2025. (GEOFF BURKE-FORIVED PICTURES)
Navratilova did so in 2004 at the age of 47.
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“It’s not easy to get off after all that time and play the perfect match, and all WTA players play amazing peyton played so well. I felt I was trying to slow down me-we went faster and faster and faster,” Williams said after 6-3, 6-4 win.
“It’s just about putting together it all. You can still play a good match and lose the match. I would play a good match and win the match. It’s so rewarding to come back after dismissal and injuries – and you know I didn’t have to return to play.”
Venus Williams wipes her face between points against Peyton Stearns at the DC Open on July 22, 2025. (GEOFF BURKE-FORIVED PICTURES)
Tennis Great Venus Williams Accepts DC Open Wild Card Invitation to First Tournament in Over One Year
Williams went into the DC Open with a Wild Card Invitation. She opened the tournament with a double win on Monday and followed the victory with another dominant performance Tuesday.
Williams’ last official single match was at the Miami Open in March 2024. Her last single victory was at the Cincinnati Open in August 2023.
She went on to the second round, where she faces No. 5 Seed Magdalena Frech on Thursday. Her second round double match is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
Venus Williams celebrates after the match against Peyton Stearns at the DC Open on July 22, 2025. (GEOFF BURKE-FORIVED PICTURES)
Williams said Tuesday that she decided to return to tennis by encouraging her team and family – she even noticed that she was interested in returning because of her health insurance.
But her comeback has already earned her a potential place in Us open In New York this summer. She is paired with Reilly Opelka as one of the 25 items for Grand Slam in mixed doubles. Only 16 duos will make the field.
