Venus Williams is back and how! At 45, when most players hardly dare to step out and hit the court, the 7-time slam queen showed she can still hit it hard down-the-line. The former World No.1 just proved it in Washington D.C. on Tuesday night after making a remarkable return to professional tennis. Before her campaign on the American hard court this week, she told the media, “Long time no see.” Well, we are about to see her more and more again, thanks to a stellar victory that just earned her a rare distinction, rubbing shoulders with another WTA legend, Martina Navratilova.

Williams beat World No.35 and compatriot Peyton Stearns in a one-sided, R32 battle on Tuesday at the Mubadala Citi Open. Venus, who last played her professional WTA match more than a year ago in Miami, bested Stearns in straight sets with a score line of 6-3, 6-4. With that, Williams just became the oldest woman, at 45, to win a WTA match since Martina Navratilova. The 18-time Grand Slam champion was 47 years old when she won an encounter in 2004.

Following her emphatic win, Naomi Osaka – a four-time slam queen herself – couldn’t resist admiring her tennis idol. Sharing an adorable reaction, the Japanese star simply wrote on X, “My queen 👑🥹❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️” Osaka herself opened her campaign with a victory recently at the Mubadala Citi Open after besting Yulia Putintseva in straight sets.

Speaking more of Venus, she’s also competing in the doubles category this week in Washington. Alongside partner and compatriot Hailey Baptiste, she defeated the pair of Eugenie Bouchard and another compatriot Clervie Ngounoue. Williams and Baptiste won with a score line of 6-3, 6-1 on Monday ahead of the 45-year-old’s singles encounter. Not to mention this doubles triumph did provide a solid momentum to the 7-time slam queen.

Rising talent Baptiste was speechless to step on the court with her and eventually win. Expressing her fan moment, she said, “To be able to share the court with her, even if I was playing against her, would have been amazing. But to actually team up with her and get a win, I mean, no words.” reported Mubadala Citi Open’s website on July 22.

When it comes to her singles match, Williams registered her maiden WTA win after 2023. Her last victory came back in 2023 during the Cincinnati Masters against then World No.16 Veronika Kudermetova. But how does it feel to make a stunning return in such fashion on the court? Williams had a lot to say…

Venus Williams opens up after making a ‘winning return’

Avid fans were waiting for her comeback for the past few months. However, her off-court journey was marred by fibroids and adenomyosis. She battled constant vomiting, cramps, and extreme pain in order to relive her tennis dream. And eventually she made it happen this week. In just an hour and 37 minutes, she was through to the second round in Washington D.C.

Reacting to her win, Venus Williams said, “You know, it’s the first step, and the first match is always extremely difficult,” reported Mubadala Citi Open’s website on July 23. “It’s hard to describe how difficult it is to play a first match after so much time off.”

She also took a moment to thank all the supporters—present in huge numbers—who cheered for her in the stands. “I know I have the ability to win, but it’s all about actually winning. So this is the best result, to play a good match and win. I’m here with my friends, family, people I love, and the fans, too, who I love and they love me, so this has been just a beautiful night.”

She emphasized, “It doesn’t matter how many times you fall down. Doesn’t matter how many times you get sick or get hurt or whatever it is. If you continue to believe and put in the work, there is an opportunity, there is space for you.” After dismantling one top 35 player, Williams will now face another one.

In the next round at the Citi Open, the American will be up against World No.24 Magdalena Frech. The 5th seed is coming off her first-match win over Yuliia Starodubtseva (6-2, 6-4). Williams will meet Frech for the first time on the WTA tour. It will be intriguing to see who comes out on top. What do you think about this upcoming contest? Let us know in the comments below.