Venus Williams, 45, Becomes Oldest Winner Since Navratilova

Venus Williams became nan 2nd oldest female to triumph a WTA Tour-level singles lucifer by beating Peyton Stearns astatine nan Washington Open.

Williams, 45, overcame world number 35 and chap American Stearns, who is 22 years her junior, 6-3 6-4 successful nan first round.

Williams is nan oldest female to triumph a singles lucifer connected circuit since Martina Navratilova astatine nan property of 47 successful 2004.

Seven-time singles Grand Slam victor Williams, who gained introduction to nan tourney via a wildcard, had not played since March 2024.

Asked if she felt restitution successful proving group wrong, she said: "No, because I'm not present for anyone other isolated from for me."

"I person thing to prove. Zip. Zero.

"I'm present for maine because I want to beryllium here. And proving anyone incorrect aliases reasoning astir anyone has ne'er gotten maine a triumph and has ne'er gotten maine a loss."

Williams, who won 14 Grand Slams successful nan doubles alongside sister Serena, past won a singles lucifer successful August 2023.

Although Williams ne'er said she had retired, she was listed by nan WTA arsenic 'inactive' aft 16 months out.

On Monday she made her return successful nan doubles alongside compatriot Hailey Baptiste arsenic they hit Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6-3 6-1 successful nan past 16.

Williams, a erstwhile world number one, had won 4 Grand Slam titles by nan clip Stearns was calved successful 2001.

"She played immoderate shot tonight," Stearns said.

"She was moving really well, which I wasn't expecting excessively much, honestly. Her serves were conscionable connected fire."

Williams will look Polish 5th seed Magdalena Frech successful nan 2nd round.