WASHINGTON — Venus Williams aimed to convey a powerful message — to herself and the world — about resilience, triumphing over a prolonged absence, and the tenacity of competing at 45. There was an undeniable magic in simply being back on the tennis court Tuesday evening.
But there was something more: her intense desire to claim victory.
And claim it she did, making history as the second-oldest woman to achieve a tour-level singles match win in professional tennis. At the DC Open, she showcased her signature powerful serves and groundstrokes, defeating 22-year-old Peyton Stearns with a commanding 6-3, 6-4 scoreline.
“During my training, I often wondered, ‘Am I still good enough?’ Some weeks I’d feel I was making significant progress, only to feel lost again. Even in the week leading up to my match, I still thought, ‘I need to improve so much more.’ It’s all mental,” Williams reflected after her first singles match in over a year and her first victory in nearly two.
The only woman older than Williams to win a singles match is the legendary Martina Navratilova.
Navratilova, whose latest win came at the age of 47 in 2004, stands alone at the top.
The former No. 1 had not contested an official singles match since March 2024 in Miami, taking time off for surgery to remove uterine fibroids. Her last singles win dated back to August 2023 in Cincinnati. Until recently, she was marked as “inactive” by the WTA Tour.
“I’m always praying for good health, so that I have the chance to play at my best,” Williams emphasized. “For me, returning is about playing at a high level and staying healthy.”
Venus Williams secured four Grand Slam titles before her opponent was even born.
With a supportive crowd cheering her on at the hard-court tournament in the nation’s capital, Williams delivered moments of the brilliance that earned her seven Grand Slam singles titles, 14 women’s doubles titles alongside her sister Serena, and a pair of mixed doubles championships.
“I aimed to play a solid match,” Williams told her fans, before adding a line that evoked loud cheers: “and win the match.”
In the second game, Williams dazzled with a return winner and then unleashed a series of formidable responses to break Stearns, a 23-year-old NCAA champion currently ranked 35th.
She sprinted forward to reach a drop shot, elegantly responding with a forehand winner soon after.
The atmosphere exploded with cheers when Williams entered the main stadium at the DC Open, a 7,000-seat venue far larger than the one where she secured her doubles victory just a day prior. Popular roars erupted again during the coin toss, intensifying when she began serving aces at impressive speeds of 110 mph and above.
Remember: Williams had already clinched four Grand Slam titles long before Stearns entered the world.
Venus Williams unleashed her iconic serves and groundstrokes, reminiscent of her prime.
“She played exceptionally well tonight,” Stearns remarked. “I was pleasantly surprised by her movement. Her serves were just incredible.”
Yet, there were moments when it appeared that the long break from competition had its effects, particularly in the first game where she faced an unexpected breakdown.
As the match neared its conclusion, Williams faced some challenges in wrapping things up, consistently holding match points yet struggling to convert. Ultimately, on her sixth opportunity, she unleashed a 112 mph serve that Stearns returned into the net. That was the moment: Williams beamed happily, raised her fist in triumph, and jogged to the net for a handshake, followed by her signature post-match pirouette and wave.
“It’s not easy. It won’t be easy. It’s never easy for anyone out here,” said Williams, looking forward to her next challenge against the No. 5 seed Magdalena Frech, aged 27. “I know I’ll need to fight for every match. But I’m ready for that.”
