Venus Williams makes history at 45, becomes oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match since Martina Navratilova in 2004

Venus Williams, 45, won a tour-level singles match for the first time in nearly two years, defeating Peyton Stearns, 22 years her junior, 6-3, 6-4 at the DC Open. This was the second-oldest woman to win a singles match since Martina Navratilova at 47 in 2004. Williams, who had surgery to remove uterine fibroids and hadn't played singles since March 2024, showed glimpses of her Grand Slam-winning talent and skills.

Venus Williams, 45, returned to the tennis court on Tuesday night, defeating Peyton Stearns, 22 years her junior, 6-3, 6-4 at the DC Open. This marked Williams' first tour-level singles win in nearly two years, making her the second-oldest woman to achieve this feat since Martina Navratilova at 47 in 2004 [1].

Williams, who had been inactive due to surgery to remove uterine fibroids, had not played singles since March 2024. Her victory over Stearns, a 23-year-old American ranked No. 35, showcased glimpses of her legendary Grand Slam-winning talent and skills. Williams, who has 21 Grand Slam titles across singles and doubles, was visibly pleased with her performance and the crowd's support.

The match took place at the 7,000-seat main stadium of the DC Open, with Williams displaying her trademark power and precision on the court. She was accompanied by cheers from the crowd, which included NBA star Kevin Durant, who showed up late in the first set. Williams' victory was a significant milestone, not only for her career but also for the sport, as it highlights the resilience and longevity of top athletes.

Williams will now face Magdalena Frech, a 27-year-old Polish player ranked No. 24, in the second round. This matchup promises to be an exciting test of Williams' comeback, as she looks to continue her successful return to the tour.

References:

[1] https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/45789577/venus-williams-wins-doubles-match-washington-return-tournament-play
[2] https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/tennis/venus-williams-45-becomes-oldest-woman-martina-navratilova-win-match-rcna220431
[3] https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4320748/venus-has-risen-williams-posts-groundbreaking-first-round-win-in-washington
[4] https://www.thederrick.com/ap/business/the-weeknd-and-shakira-will-headline-global-citizen-festival-supporting-energy-access-and-the-amazon/article_cf991aa0-d086-5b50-b32f-474798402280.html