Venus Williams Makes History With Tour-Level Win at 45

WASHINGTON, D.C. — At 45 years old, Venus Williams delivered a historic performance at the DC Open, becoming the second-oldest woman in history to win a tour-level singles match. She defeated Peyton Stearns — 22 years her junior — in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, marking her first singles victory in nearly two years.

This victory is even more remarkable considering Williams’ long layoff from singles competition. She hadn’t played an official singles match since March 2024 and hadn’t won in singles since August 2023, due to surgery to remove uterine fibroids. Until this week, she was listed as “inactive” by the WTA.

“Each week of training brought new doubts,” Williams admitted.

“Even the week leading up, I thought, ‘I need to improve so much more.’ It’s all a head game.”

Backed by a supportive Washington crowd, Williams rolled back the years with flashes of her trademark power — firing serves over 110 mph, chasing down drop shots, and landing big winners. Her serve clocked at 112 mph on her sixth match point sealed the match in classic Venus fashion.

Williams now joins tennis legend Martina Navratilova as the only women to win a tour-level singles match at age 45 or older. Navratilova remains the oldest ever to do so, winning at age 47 in 2004.

The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion expressed gratitude for her return:

“I’m just constantly praying for good health… A lot of this is about coming back and trying to play at a level — and play healthy.”

The crowd in the 7,000-seat stadium erupted in cheers from the moment Williams stepped onto the court to the final winning serve. After the match, she gave her customary pirouette and wave, beaming with pride.

Venus now advances to face No. 5 seed Magdalena Frech, who is 18 years younger, in the next round. With her performance, Williams proves once again that age is just a number — and the competitive fire still burns brightly.