Washington Open: Venus Williams, 45, wins doubles match after 16-month absence

Seven times the Grand Slam champion Venus Williams celebrated the victory in the last 16 of the female couples in Washington Open 16 months after tennis.

The 45 -year -old former world, who accepted a joker for the tournament, did not compete since Miami Open in March 2024 and finally won in August 2023 at Cincinnati Open.

Williams and other American Hailey Baptiste, Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngoounoue 6-3 6-1 defeat.

“Being here was inspiring,” Williams Sky Sports said. “I love this game and I still hit great.”

In the first round of the single competition on Tuesday, another American Peyton Stearns will face.

Williams, who doubled for the first time in three years, wished that his sister Serena-23 Baptiste, who was 23-year-old Baptiste instead of the Great Champion times, could be a partner with Baptiste.

He said: “I think we could see that we would be a good team from the first point. Just earlier, years ago we should have started playing, right? I think Serena was on the road.”

Venus, which has no ranking, won 14 major titles with Serena in women’s couples, as Williams Sisters dominated sports for many years.