Venus Williams delivered a powerful statement on her return to competitive tennis by winning her first singles match in over a year at the Citi Open in Washington. At 45 years old, the legendary seven-time Grand Slam champion stunned fans and critics alike by defeating 23-year-old Peyton Stearns in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
The match marked Williams’ return to the WTA circuit after a 16-month hiatus, during which her playing status was listed as “inactive” on the official WTA website. Now unranked but undoubtedly determined, Venus stepped onto the court and rolled back the years with a dominant performance, including nine aces and winning 71% of her first-serve points.
Williams, who began her professional journey at age 14, showed no signs of slowing down. With her fiancé, Italian actor and producer Andrea Preti, cheering her on from the stands, Venus became the oldest player since Martina Navratilova in 2004 to win a WTA-level singles match.
This wasn’t just a symbolic return—it was a clear message that Venus Williams still has the game to compete. The last time she played a singles match was in March 2024, stepping away due to surgery for long-term health concerns related to uterine fibroids. Her last win came in August 2023 when she beat then-world No.16 Veronika Kudermetova.
Though doubts surrounded her wildcard entry, Williams trained rigorously to earn her place. She openly admitted to experiencing moments of uncertainty, but her preparation paid off. From her heavy serves to her aggressive play from the baseline and a beautifully timed lob in the second set, Venus proved she’s still a force on the court.
Peyton Stearns, who was born the same year Venus won her fourth major title, praised her opponent’s performance. “She moved a lot better than I expected,” Stearns said after the match.
This win wasn’t a nostalgic cameo; it was a competitive masterclass. Venus emphasized her commitment to her “big hitting” brand of tennis and showed she could still dictate points at the highest level.
While her next challenge is a tougher one against fifth seed Magdalena Frech of Poland, Williams remains focused. When asked about the future, she simply said, “I’m just here for now… who knows, maybe there’s more.”
Venus’s return was made even more headline-worthy with the announcement of her engagement to 37-year-old Andrea Preti. But on this night in Washington, the spotlight belonged to her game, her grit, and her historic achievement.