Washington Open: 45-year-old Venus Williams wins doubles after 16 months of absence
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams celebrated his victory in the final 16 women’s doubles at the Washington Open 16 months after tennis.
The 45-year-old former world No. 1 since the Miami Open in March 2024, has accepted a wildcard match and has not competed – the last time he won at the Cincinnati Open in August 2023.
Williams and fellow American Hailey Baptiste beat Eugenie Bouchard and Clevie Ngounoue 6-3 6-1.
“It’s really encouraging to get out here,” Williams told Sky Sports. “I love this game and still play a lot.”
She will face another American, Peyton Stearns, in the first round of Tuesday’s singles match.
Williams is the first doubles Williams to play in three years and is joking with her hope she can work with 23-year-old Baptiste, with 50 in the world, instead of her sister Serena, not her sister Serena, a 23-time champion.
“I think from the first point, I can see that we’re going to be a good team. A few years ago, we should have started the competition earlier, right? I think Serena is just on the road.”
Unranked Venus tied for 14 major champions with Serena in women’s doubles as the Williams sisters dominated the sport for years.
