Venus Williams Wins Singles Return at DC Open After 16-Month Hiatus

Venus Williams made a remarkable return to professional tennis after a 16-month hiatus, winning her first-round singles match at the DC Open by defeating Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-4. At 45, Williams became the oldest WTA match winner since Martina Navratilova in 2004 and the oldest player to compete at tour level since Kimiko Date in 2017. She credited her team and fans for their support and emphasized the intense physical effort behind her comeback. In doubles, Williams teamed with Hailey Baptiste to secure a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue, marking her first doubles match in nearly three years. Other notable players at the tournament include Naomi Osaka, who defeated Yulia Putintseva and is set to face Emma Raducanu, who advanced by beating Marta Kostyuk. The DC Open serves as a key US Open hardcourt warm-up event, attracting top American and international players.