Tennis legend Venus Williams stunned fans and critics alike by defeating world number 35 Peyton Stearns in straight sets at the Washington Open, becoming the second-oldest woman ever to win a WTA Tour-level singles match.
At 45 years old, Williams triumphed 6-3, 6-4 over her 23-year-old fellow American opponent in the first round. The match marked her first singles victory since August 2023 and her return to tour-level action after a 16-month absence.
Her win makes her the oldest woman to claim a WTA singles match since Martina Navratilova, who achieved the feat at age 47 in 2004. Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and former world number one, entered the tournament via a wildcard.
Asked post-match whether her victory was a form of vindication, Williams dismissed the idea. “No, because I’m not here for anyone else except for me,” she said. “I have nothing to prove. Zip. Zero. I’m here for me because I want to be here. And proving anyone wrong or thinking about anyone has never gotten me a win and has never gotten me a loss.”
Stearns, born in 2001—the year by which Williams had already secured four Grand Slam titles—praised her opponent’s performance. “She played some ball tonight. She was moving really well, which I wasn’t expecting too much, honestly. Her serves were just on fire,” she said.
Williams, who had not played since March 2024 and was listed as “inactive” by the WTA, began her return on Monday in the doubles draw. Teaming up with compatriot Hailey Baptiste, the pair beat Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6-3, 6-1 to advance to the last 16.
Known not just for her powerful game but also for her trailblazing career alongside her sister Serena—winning 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together—Venus continues to defy expectations with her tenacity and passion for the sport.
She is set to face Polish fifth seed Magdalena Frech in the second round as she continues her remarkable comeback campaign.
Melissa Enoch
Follow us on:
