Venus Williams becomes second oldest to win WTA Tour level match

Venus Williams has become the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match in professional tennis, and the oldest in 21 years.

She beat compatriot Peyton Stearns at the DC Open, her first singles victory in nearly two years.

Williams had not played singles in an official match since March 2024, missing time while having surgery to remove uterine fibroids.

She was placed on COBRA benefits, a government scheme that allows people to keep limited health insurance after a change in eligibility. Williams showed glimpses of her talent and skills, earning all of her grand slam titles.

She advanced to a second-round match-up against number five seed Magdalena Frech of Poland and won in the doubles alongside Hailey Baptiste.