45-year-old Venus Williams defeated World No. 35 Peyton Stearns in the first round of the Mubadala Citi Open women’s singles action. Williams had not won a match in 709 days. Her last victory was in Cincinnati in 2023 over Veronika Kudermetova.
How you move at 45. pic.twitter.com/yRXgKUvskK
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 23, 2025
With the win, Williams becomes the oldest WTA match winner since Martina Navratilova who won a Wimbledon match at the age of 47 at the 2004 Wimbledon. It is her 819th career WTA match win.
Age is just a number. 👏
45-year-old Venus Williams turns in a vintage performance to win her singles comeback!#MubadalaCitiDCOpen pic.twitter.com/lJSpiEvvMS
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 23, 2025
Wow. Wow. WOW!
45 year old Legend Venus Williams, playing her first singles match since march 2024, defeats world #35 Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-4 to reach the 2nd round in Washington WTA 500.
Hit 9 aces.
That’s her first singles win since august 2023.
Simply UNREAL. pic.twitter.com/EeAVJ4l4PO
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 23, 2025
The moment Venus Williams won her first tour-level singles match since August 2023 👑⤵️#MubadalaCitiDCOpen pic.twitter.com/DCzAgJBGyY
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 23, 2025
Venus Williams Changed Her Serve
The last time tennis fans saw Venus Williams was at the 2024 Miami Open. Among her issues was her serve; she had many double faults. Her service motion has changed. It is simpler and cleaner, and it worked. Venus had nine aces in the match.
She got off to a slow start, losing the first game which was on her serve at love; however, Venus got better as the match went on. She found the angles and the timing.
It was really incredible to watch, and everyone, except Peyton Stearns, was happy about it. Stearns was wearing a knee brace, and her movement seemed to be somewhat hindered.
The two had very few lengthy rallies which also benefitted Williams whose movement looked pretty good when she was pushed to the limit.
What Venus Williams Said After The Match
Venus could not stop smiling. She told Rennae Stubbs that her team is the reason she returned to the game and deserved credit for the win. They pushed her on the days when she said the training was hard.
Venus Williams also joked that her insurance had expired, and she was motivated to return because she was told she was on COBRA. She said that she is at the doctor a lot.
Venus Williams on her fiancées support after getting 1st singles win since 2023
“My fiancée is here. He really encouraged me to keep playing. Do you know how hard it is to play tennis? It’s 9 to 5 except you’re running the whole time” 😭😭😭😭
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 23, 2025
When asked about her fiance Andrea Preti, she was positively beaming. She is reportedly getting married later this year. In the meantime, she has more tennis to play in doubles with Hailey Baptiste, which she said helped her in singles, and in the next round against World No. 24 Magdalena Frech.
