{"id":1233692,"date":"2025-07-23T10:45:38","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T14:45:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/?p=1233692"},"modified":"2025-07-23T12:11:40","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T16:11:40","slug":"venus-williams-2025-dc-open-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/venus-williams-2025-dc-open-return\/","title":{"rendered":"Venus Williams Makes History in Return to Tennis at Mubadala Citi DC Open"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Celebrated athlete Venus Williams made a stunning return to professional tennis in the Mubadala Citi DC Open, stepping back onto the court for the first time in more than a year and even making history Tuesday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is very special for me to come back and play tennis,\u201d said Williams. \u201cI think it\u2019s a surprise for the fans, a surprise in general, as I hold my cards tight. And you know in this last year, I have been through a lot physically, so to come back and be able to play, and hopefully enjoy myself, is a great opportunity.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 45-year-old icon who holds 21 Grand Slam titles across singles and doubles beat Peyton Stearns, ranked No. 35 in the world, in straight sets during the first round of the Mubadala Citi DC Open on July 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In her first singles victory since 2023, Williams became the oldest person to win a tour-level match since 47-year-old Martina Navratilova in 2004 at Wimbledon.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her history-making triumph comes after Monday night\u2019s success, when she joined forces with hometown favorite Hailey Baptiste to deliver a 6-3, 6-1 win over Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor me, it\u2019s a dream come true,\u201d said Baptiste. \u201cIt\u2019s something I probably didn\u2019t expect to happen in my career. So to have the opportunity is just really amazing to me. To be able to share the court with her, even if I was playing against her,  it would have been amazing. But to actually team with her and get a win\u2013 no words.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Williams, returning to the court in the nation\u2019s capital has extra special significance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am so excited to be here in D.C.,\u201d said Williams. Playing here is like playing at home. I have an older sister who lives here and a cousin who lives here, lots of cousins, a niece, my great nephew, and on and on\u2026 I remember my first time coming here when I was about 13 years old. So definitely a love affair with D.C. and also a great opportunity to play in the U.S.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Frances
Credit:<\/span> Abdullah Konte<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With her long-awaited return to Women\u2019s Tennis Association (WTA) singles, Williams is set to face fellow American Peyton Stearns in the first round. It will be Williams\u2019 first official singles match since March 2024, when she last competed at the Miami Open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Williams accepted a wild card into the WTA 500 event, which marks her second singles appearance at the tournament. Her previous outing came in 2022, when she fell in the opening round to Canadian Rebecca Marino. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite that result, Williams has deep ties to D.C.\u2019s tennis scene, having served as the Marquee Player for the Washington Kastles in World TeamTennis<\/a>. She helped lead the team to five titles and was a six-time team standout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The atmosphere was electric at the John A. Harris Grandstand, with fans and stars present to see the tennis legend\u2019s return. DMV native and NBA champion Kevin Durant was in attendance to witness the moment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Williams\u2019 sharp play and seamless chemistry with Baptiste marked a promising start to the tournament, which runs through July 27. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the Mubadala Citi DC Open underway, tennis has been set to redefine the sports realm in the nation\u2019s capital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWashington continues to solidify its place as one of the premier destinations on both the ATP (Association for Tennis Professionals) and WTA tours,\u201d said Mark Ein, chairman of the Mubadala Citi Open, in a May statement, announcing the preliminary tournament lineup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to Williams, the tournament is showcasing an impressive lineup of talent this year, including top American stars like Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Jessica Pegula, and Coco Gauff. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m just here for now, and who knows, maybe there\u2019s more,\u201d said Williams. \u201cLike I said, I hold my cards close, and at the moment I am focused on just on this. I haven\u2019t played in a year there\u2019s no doubt I haven\u2019t played tennis, but obviously coming back to play matches, it takes time to get back in the swing of things. I definitely feel I\u2019ll play well, I\u2019m still the same player.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Celebrated athlete Venus Williams made a stunning return to professional tennis in the Mubadala Citi DC Open, stepping back onto the court for the first time in more than a year and even making history Tuesday night. \u201cThis is very special for me to come back and play tennis,\u201d said Williams. \u201cI think it\u2019s a 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