45 years old Venus Williams returns to the Citi Open with a doubles victory alongside Hailey Baptiste. Discover her surgical recovery, health condition, on-court highlights, singles draw and potential US Open mixed doubles debut.
🧭 Icon Returns to the DC Stage
Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, accepted a wildcard to compete at the Mubadala Citi DC Open (Washington Open)—her first WTA tournament since the 2024 Miami Open. At 45, she not only defied age but also chronic health struggles like Sjögren’s syndrome and a uterine fibroid surgery in July 2024 .
🔥 Historic Doubles Win
On July 21, Venus partnered with local favorite Hailey Baptiste, defeating Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6–3, 6–1 on John Harris Court. This was her first doubles match in nearly three years . Crowd favorites were NBA star Kevin Durant among the ~3,000-strong fans cheering her comeback .
🧠 Emotional Exchanges
Venus displayed bravery by bouncing back from early mistakes to dominate the rest of the match which reflects her resilient spirit. Baptiste credited Venus for lifting her game:
“After the match Hailey asked me, ‘How did that feel?’ … It’s probably even harder … but we won.”
🎭 Venus’s Cheeky Serena Moment
During her return, Venus jokingly quipped she enjoyed playing with Hailey more than with Serena—saying Serena was “just in the way”—a playful jibe that showcased her personality .
⚖️ A Return After Surgery & Recovery
Fresh off a miomectomy in July 2024, Venus reflected on how the surgery reframed her approach: playing tennis is now a privilege, not an obsession . She reiterated this mental shift after winning: “At the end of the day … health is priority.” .
🎯 Upcoming Singles Showdown
Tuesday night’s singles main draw pits Venus against Peyton Stearns, world No. 35—broadcast primetime on Stadium Court. If victorious, Venus could break records as the oldest WTA Tour-level singles winner since Martina Navratilova in 2004 .
The biggest congrats to @serenawilliams on being inducted into the #TeamUSAHOF! Watching your hard work and determination has been the biggest honor. Proud of you today and every day, sis💕💪 pic.twitter.com/MobAQHAIZ1
— Venus Williams (@Venuseswilliams) July 12, 2025
🌟 Broader Impact & Legacy
- Cultural significance: Her return inspires fans—especially Black girls—emphasizing opportunity in sports.
- Global buzz: Media outlets like Reuters, AP, and The Times of India highlight her comeback and her public wish for Serena’s return .
- US Open aspirations: She’s entered mixed doubles with Reilly Opelka, seeking a wildcard for another major event in August .
📊 Tournament Frame & Future Outlook
The Mubadala Citi DC Open runs July 21–27, categorized as a WTA 500 and ATP 500 event. Venus’s wild-card entry adds veteran star power to an already stacked field that includes Pegula, Gauff, and Rybakina . Next steps:
- Doubles: Venus/Baptiste advance to Round 2.
- Singles: Match vs Peyton Stearns is a must-watch—many hope she wins.
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