WASHINGTON — After more than a year away from tournament play and nearly three years since her last doubles match, Venus Williams made a triumphant return at the DC Open on Monday. Her first serve was a commanding one, only to be annulled by a surprising foot-fault call.
The 45-year-old tennis legend, boasting 21 Grand Slam titles in both singles and doubles, exchanged incredulous smiles with her fellow competitors as the lively crowd, which included NBA star Kevin Durant, looked on. Williams quickly regrouped, showcasing her signature power alongside partner Hailey Baptiste, leading them to a convincing 6-3, 6-1 triumph over former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue.
“It feels incredible to just be here playing again. This year is a complete turnaround compared to where I was last year; it’s literally night and day,” Williams reflected in a recent NBC interview. She shared how her recent recovery from surgery to remove fibroids has reshaped her perspective on participating in the sport. “When health is an issue, nothing else matters. It certainly gave me a new outlook that eased my return to the game and allows me to play more freely.”
Her last encounter on court was during the Miami Open in March 2024, and ahead of the DC Open, Williams set two clear objectives: to enjoy herself and to secure a win.
She achieved both, not only emerging victorious but also relishing every moment — high-fiving and fist-bumping Baptiste after impressive plays, sharing laughs throughout the match, and acknowledging the enthusiastic crowd that erupted in applause for her. The duo shared a heartfelt hug at the match’s conclusion.
“The energy from the crowd was electric. From the moment we walked out, you could sense the excitement. It was so wonderful to be embraced like that,” said Baptiste, a 23-year-old from Washington. “I was a bit nervous playing with her, not wanting to disappoint her, especially in her comeback match.”
John Harris Court was filled to capacity with 3,000 spectators, while a mere handful filled the 7,500-seat main stadium next door, where Reilly Opelka triumphed over Murphy Cassone in an all-American singles duel.
Addressing spectator distribution, tournament director Daniel Vallverdú shared: “We strive to create a balanced schedule for both singles and doubles on the ATP and WTA tours, while also accommodating broadcaster needs for court allocations.”
Prior to her doubles match, wearing her signature white visor, the announcer celebrated Williams by stating she possesses “one of the finest serves in tennis history,” noting her professional debut in the last century and her impressive track record.
Her accolades include seven major singles championships – five at Wimbledon and two at the U.S. Open – in addition to 14 doubles titles alongside her sister Serena and four Olympic gold medals.
“She’s 14 years my senior and still going strong,” acknowledged Bouchard, 31, a former top-five player, who announced that her upcoming tournament in Montreal will mark the final event of her career. “I have immense respect for her. She’s an absolute legend, and the atmosphere was fantastic for a doubles matchup.”
The crowd was undoubtedly engaged, waving their phones high as Williams made her entrance and again as the match concluded.
Fans can look forward to more from Williams this week: she is set to compete in singles on Tuesday night against 23-year-old Peyton Stearns, currently ranked No. 35, who previously captured NCAA singles and team titles at the University of Texas.
“I have been preparing for this moment for months,” exclaimed Williams.
