One of the most decorated athletes in tennis history, is back—and in major form! At 45 years old, the 7-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams made a historic return to the WTA Tour by defeating 23-year-old Peyton Stearns at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C.

Her 6-3, 6-4 victory marked the first time since 2004 that a player over the age of 40 has won a singles match on the tour. But even more groundbreaking? Venus now holds the title as the oldest woman in over two decades to win a WTA Tour singles match.

👏🏾 Black Excellence in Motion

For those who forgot, Venus turned pro in 1994—yes, almost three decades ago—and she’s been raising the bar ever since. While most of her peers have long retired, Venus continues to rewrite the rules on what longevity and grace look like in sports.

This recent win came after nearly two years away from competition due to injuries, including a hamstring issue and persistent knee problems. Her last WTA match win before this was back in 2021.

💬 “It’s Been A Beautiful Night…”

During her post-match interview, Venus opened up about what this moment meant after navigating so many personal and professional setbacks.

“I’ve just been through so much off the court… I didn’t know what to expect. But it’s been a beautiful night.”

She mentioned the mental strain of recovery, battling insurance limitations while dealing with injury, and having to build her confidence back from scratch—reminding us all that the fight behind the scenes is just as real as the one on the court.

🎾 What’s Next For V?

Venus is officially outside. With this win under her belt, she’s accepted a wildcard into the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, set to begin August 11. And that’s not all—rumors are swirling that she may compete at the 2025 US Open in New York, which would mark her 24th appearance at the major.

💎 Stats That Still Stun

• Turned Pro: 1994
• Career Singles Titles: 49
• Grand Slam Singles Titles: 7
• Olympic Gold Medals: 4 (1 singles, 3 doubles)
• Oldest WTA Tour match winner since 2004
• First WTA match win since June 2021

🖤 A Living Legacy

Venus Williams didn’t just return—she reminded us who she is. Through injuries, criticism, and time away from the game, Venus continues to be a blueprint in more ways than one.

Whether it’s breaking barriers for Black women in sports, fighting for equal pay, or serving as a reminder that age ain’t a limit, she’s still setting the standard.

“She’s not done. She’s just reignited.”