The story of Day 1 of the 2025 Mubadala Citi Open was centered on two doubles matches occurring in the early afternoon. The first marked the return of Venus Williams to professional tennis for the first time since the 2024 Miami Open. She teamed with DC native Hailey Baptiste for a straight set win over Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue. A crowded outer court cheered excitedly for Williams at every opportunity.
An intro fit for a Queen! 👑
Venus Williams and Hailey Baptiste have taken the court for their doubles opener in DC!
Stream the action live on the Tennis Channel App 📲 pic.twitter.com/XvhNad2GPB
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 21, 2025
45 year old Venus Williams, 23-time Grand Slam champ (7 in singles, 16 in doubles), comes back to professional tennis 16 months later and wins alongside Hailey Baptiste to reach the QFs in Washington.
6-3, 6-1 over Bouchard/Ngounoue.
Venus plays her singles R1 tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/7pgRd1iclD
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 21, 2025
Williams, 45, exuded joy in her Sunday press conference about returning to the game. She and Baptiste played well together and enjoyed some smiles in the process. Venus Wiliams is also in the singles draw and will play her first round match against fellow American Peyton Stearns on Tuesday at 10 AM EDT.
Venus Williams Wins, Nick Kyrgios Loses
While Williams enjoyed a successful return to the court, two-time Mubadala Citi Open singles and one time doubles champion Nick Kyrgios did not experience the same result. He partnered with Gael Monfils in a straight set loss to Hugo Nys and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Kyrgios has been hampered in recent years by a wrist injury. The last time he played was at the 2025 Miami Open.
One-way traffic 🚦
Nys/Roger-Vasselin ease past Kyrgios/Monfils 6-2 6-2 in the Washington doubles R1.#MubadalaCitiDCOpen pic.twitter.com/CuCOzjzan6
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 21, 2025
Kyrgios is not playing singles in this year’s tournament, but he is on the registered list to play US Mixed Doubles with Naomi Osaka. 16 teams will be selected (8 seeded and 8 wildcard) so it is unclear if he and Osaka will make the cut.
Other doubles teams to keep an eye on this week in DC include Elena Rybakina and Emma Raducanu, the two ERs are on court late Monday against Tereza Mihalikova and Olivia Nicholls.
Monday night, all eyes will be on the American duo of Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe who will face the Australian duo of John Peers and Matthew Ebeden.
Watch all of the Mubadala Citi Open WTA 500 and ATP 500 action now through July 27 on the Tennis Channel.
