Venus Williams Makes a Noteworthy Comeback
WASHINGTON – Venus Williams aimed to make a statement about competing at 45 and the importance of resilience in sports. Just stepping back onto the tennis court was a significant achievement for her.
But there was more to it: she genuinely wanted to win.
And she did just that, marking her position as the second oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match in professional tennis, showcasing her renowned serves and ground strokes by overcoming Payton Stearns.
“Each week during training, I found myself thinking, ‘Am I ready enough?’ Some weeks it was a struggle, while others felt a bit more positive,” Williams reflected after her first singles match in over a year, celebrating her first victory in almost two times that span.
Only Martina Navratilova, who secured her last singles win at 47 in 2004, has more experience in this category.
Williams, a former No. 1, hadn’t played a match since March 2024 due to surgery for uterine fibroids. The last time she won a singles match was in August 2023, and until recently, the WTA Tour had her categorized as “inactive.”
“I always pray for health, hoping for the chance to compete at my best,” Williams shared. “Coming back is much about playing effectively and healthily for me.”
Even before Stearns was born, Williams had already claimed four Grand Slam titles.
During the match, Williams displayed her undeniable skills, receiving considerable support from the crowd at this hard court tournament in the nation’s capital.
“I was hoping for a solid match,” she noted to fans, expressing her appreciation, “And we won!”
As the match progressed, she started strong, quickly responding to Stearns’ moves and exhibiting a blend of experience and skill against the 23-year-old, who presently ranks No. 35 after winning NCAA singles and team titles at the University of Texas.
When she entered the main stadium at the DC Open, the first cheers erupted. The energy peaked as she delivered powerful serves, reminiscent of her earlier career, consistently clocking under 110 mph.
It’s remarkable to think about Williams winning four Grand Slam titles before her opponent was even born.
Stearns acknowledged, “She played exceptionally well tonight. I didn’t expect her serve to be that powerful.”
There were moments, with her fiancée watching, where it was evident that Williams’ competitive spirit remained intact.
As the match neared its end, Williams seemed to dig even deeper.
Despite facing challenges on match points, she ultimately clinched the victory with a strong 112 mph serve that Stearns failed to return.
With a big smile, Williams celebrated, raising her fist and jogging toward the net, flaunting her classic post-win pirouette.
“It’s not easy for anyone out here,” she remarked, with a nod toward her upcoming match against 27-year-old No. 5 seed Magdalena Fleck.
