Venus Williams makes history with first pro tennis win in nearly 2 years — at age 45

Venus Williams made history under the lights in Washington, D.C., delivering a win that was equal parts comeback and statement.

At 45 years old, Williams defeated 23-year-old Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the DC Open, making her the oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match since Martina Navratilova, who won at 47 in 2004.

The victory is Williams’ first in singles since August 2023 and comes after nearly a year and a half away from the court, during which she underwent surgery to remove uterine fibroids. Her last official singles match was in March 2024 in Miami.

Why this win matters

The backstory:

Tuesday night’s performance was vintage Venus—full of big serves, powerful groundstrokes, and the kind of grit that earned her seven Grand Slam singles titles. Williams opened the match with a return winner, broke Stearns early, and hit aces at speeds exceeding 110 mph.

"I wanted to play a good match," she told the crowd, then added with a smile, "and win the match."

Ranked No. 35, Stearns is a rising American player and former NCAA champion from the University of Texas. But on Tuesday, she was outplayed by a legend who hadn’t competed in singles in over a year.

Williams, once listed as "inactive" on the WTA Tour, is now into the second round where she’ll face No. 5 seed Magdalena Frech of Poland.

What we know:

Williams’ win was her first singles victory in nearly two years and makes her the second-oldest woman in history to win a WTA match. The crowd at the DC Open responded with roaring support, especially as she delivered her signature fast serves and a post-match pirouette.

What we don't know:

It’s unclear how long Williams plans to continue competing on tour, or whether this marks the start of a larger comeback push. Her long-term schedule and health status have not been disclosed.

What they're saying:

"It is not easy," Williams said after the match, "to [come back] after all that time and play the perfect match." She also noted that her fiancé was in the stands cheering her on.

What's next:

Williams will face Magdalena Frech, the No. 5 seed, in the second round. With momentum and crowd support behind her, the DC Open could become one of her most memorable runs in years.