Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has marked her return to tennis with a victory in the women’s doubles round of 16 at the Washington Open after a 16-month hiatus.
The 45-year-old former world number one, who received a wildcard entry for the tournament, had not competed since the Miami Open in March 2024 and last secured a win at the Cincinnati Open in August 2023.
Williams teamed up with fellow American Hailey Baptiste to defeat Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue with a score of 6-3, 6-1.
“It was inspiring to be out here,” Williams shared with Sky Sports. “I love this game and I’m still hitting it big.”
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She is set to face another American, Peyton Stearns, in the first round of the singles event on Tuesday.
Playing doubles for the first time in three years, Williams humorously expressed her wish that she could have partnered with 23-year-old Baptiste, currently ranked 50th in the world, instead of her sister Serena, who has won 23 major titles.
“I could tell from the first point that we would make a great team. We should have started playing together years ago, right? I think Serena was just in the way,” she joked.
Venus, who currently holds no ranking, has won 14 major titles in women’s doubles alongside Serena, as the Williams sisters have long been a dominant force in the sport.
