Tennis legend Venus Williams, at 45 years old, made a stunning return to form, becoming the second-oldest woman in history to win a tour-level singles match.
A Historic Victory at 45
Venus Williams rolled back the years on Tuesday night in Washington, securing her 819th tour-level victory. At 45, she defeated Peyton Stearns, who is 22 years her junior, with a score of 6-3, 6-4 at the DC Open.
This remarkable win marks her first singles victory in nearly two years. The only other woman to win a tour-level match at an older age was Martina Navratilova, who achieved it at 47 in 2004.
On the Court: A Battle of Wills
Williams showed flashes of her classic game, delivering powerful serves and groundstrokes. However, the match wasn’t without its challenges. In the opening game, she was broken at love, indicating some rust after her long break.
“It’s not easy to come off after all that time and play the perfect match,” Williams shared, acknowledging the high level of play from her opponent. She admitted to battling herself, trying to “slow myself down” amidst the intensity.
Closing out the match proved to be a test of her resolve. Williams held six match points before finally converting the last one with a strong 112 mph serve. Her opponent returned it into the net, sealing Venus’s triumph, which she celebrated with a wide smile and her signature post-win pirouette.
More Than Just a Win
This victory was particularly symbolic, as Venus achieved the same scoreline, 6-3, 6-4, as her first-ever tour-level win 31 years ago when she was just 14. It highlights an incredible career span for one of tennis’s most enduring figures.
Looking ahead, Williams is set to face No. 5 seed Magdalena Frech, a 27-year-old player from Poland, in the second round. She also recently competed in a doubles match, which helped her get “back in the groove.”
The Humorous Reason: “Back for the Insurance”
Despite the immense physical and mental effort required, Williams shared a surprisingly lighthearted reason for her return. Battling various injuries in recent years, she jokingly stated that her decision to come back was fueled by her team and, humorously, her insurance coverage.
“I had to come back for the insurance,” she quipped. “They informed me earlier this year I’m on COBRA. So I was like, I got to get my benefits on.” She added, “I’m always at the doctor, so I need this insurance.”
This amusing anecdote underscores the incredible dedication required for a professional athlete at her level. As Williams put it, “Do you know how hard it is to play tennis? It’s 9 to 5, except you’re running the whole time, lifting weights, just dying, and then you repeat it the next day.”
- Venus Williams, 45, won her 819th tour-level singles match.
- She became the second-oldest woman to achieve this feat, after Martina Navratilova (47).
- Her victory over Peyton Stearns (22) was her first singles win in nearly two years.
- Williams humorously cited needing “insurance benefits” as a reason for her return.
Venus Williams continues to defy expectations, reminding us of her enduring passion and unique spirit on the tennis court.
