Venus Williams Becomes Second-Oldest WTA Singles Match Winner

Venus Williams made history this week by becoming the second-oldest player to win a singles match on the WTA Tour, following her victory over Peyton Stearns at the DC Open.

Williams, 45, defeated Stearns 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the round of 16. The last player older than Venus Williams to win a singles match on the WTA Tour was Martina Navratilova, who won at Wimbledon in 2004 at the age of 47.

The DC Open win marks Williams’ first singles victory since August 2023, when she defeated Veronika Kudermetova in the opening round of the Cincinnati Open. Prior to her current return, she last played in March 2023, losing in the first round of the Miami Open to Diana Shnaider.

Williams’ recent return to the court follows a brief break from competition. Speaking to reporters, she noted that a need for health insurance was one of the reasons for her comeback.

“I had to come back because they informed me earlier this year I’m on COBRA,” she said. “So I was like, ‘I gotta get my benefits.’ You guys know what it’s like. I’m always at the doctor, so I need this insurance.”

In addition to singles play, Williams also competed in doubles at the tournament alongside Hailey Baptiste. The pair won their opening match on July 21 and are scheduled to play again on July 23 against Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai.

Williams’ next singles match will take place on July 24, when she faces No. 24-ranked Magdalena Fręch.

Venus Williams also confirmed that she is engaged to 37-year-old model and actor Andrea Preti. She said her fiancé encouraged her return to competition.