Venus Williams Triumphs in Comeback Match at Citi Open 2025

Venus Williams Returns to the Court

American tennis icon and seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, Venus Williams, celebrated her return to competitive tennis with a victory over fellow American Peyton Stearns during the first round of the women's singles at the Citi Open 2025 in Washington, DC, on July 23.

This win marks Venus's first singles victory in almost two years, with her last win occurring at the Cincinnati Masters in 2023, where she defeated Veronika Kudermetova from Russia in the round of 64. After undergoing surgery to remove uterine fibroids, she had not participated in a singles match since March 2024.

Historic Achievement

With her win against 22-year-old Peyton Stearns, Venus Williams became the second-oldest female player to secure a victory in a tour-level singles match. The record for the oldest player is held by Martina Navratilova, who won a match at the age of 47 in 2004, underscoring the significance of Williams's achievement.

Despite her lengthy absence from the sport, Venus displayed remarkable skill, showcasing her agility, powerful groundstrokes, and composure under pressure, proving that age does not diminish talent. She has amassed a total of 23 Major titles, including seven in singles, 14 in women's doubles, and two in mixed doubles.

Crowd's Enthusiastic Reception

The audience at the 7,000-seat arena warmly welcomed Venus's comeback, rising to their feet to applaud her resilience and enduring brilliance, creating an electrifying atmosphere that celebrated her legacy.

Prior to her singles victory, Williams also achieved success in doubles alongside compatriot Hailey Baptiste, defeating the American-Canadian duo of Clervie Ngounoue and Eugenie Bouchard in straight sets.

Fans Celebrate Venus's Return

Following her first singles win in nearly two years at the age of 45, tennis enthusiasts took to social media to express their admiration for Venus, recognizing her as a timeless icon and a source of inspiration for many aspiring tennis players.

There had been speculation about her potential retirement due to health issues and injuries, which had caused her ranking to plummet. However, her recent victory at the Citi Open could potentially see her re-enter the top 700, a remarkable leap of approximately 9,356 places.

Looking Ahead

Venus Williams, at 45 years old, continues to defy expectations. She will next face Magdalena Frech from Poland in the round of 16 on July 24, as she aims for a comeback title.