Venus Williams defeats Peyton Stearns at the 2025 DC Open in Washington DC. Williams wins her first match in 16 months, becoming oldest WTA player to win since 2004.
Venus Williams defeated Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-4 at the DC Open yesterday, becoming the oldest woman to win a WTA Tour match since Martina Navratilova (47) in 2004.
Williams returned to tennis for the first time in 16 months. Two weeks ago, her WTA Tour profile listed her as inactive. In the last two years, Williams appeared in more fashion shows than tennis matches. This week, Williams won two matches in two days, including one in doubles with Hailey Baptiste.
« There are no limits for excellence », Williams told WTA staff after the match. « It’s all about what’s in your head and how much you’re able to put into it. If you put in the work mentally, physically, and emotionally, then you can have the result. »
What does it say about the state of women’s tennis that an inactive 45-year-old, wearing a black turtleneck dress in the smoldering Washington, D.C. heat, can defeat a 23-year-old player ranked No. 35?
Is Williams’ talent timeless and so elite that it dwarfs what’s considered good play on the WTA today? Has the WTA, sans the Williams sisters, fallen victim to parity or mediocrity? Maybe Williams’ victory is merely a moment in time, like Jimmy Connors in the 1991 U.S. Open. Connors was 39, ranked No. 174 and reached the semifinals.
Next up for Williams is No. 24 Magdalena Frech, who defeated Yuliaa Starodubtseva, 6-2, 6-4. This will be Williams’ first meeting against Frech.
Williams entered the DC Open as a wildcard, a standing offer from tournament chairman Mark Ein, a personal friend. In March, there were rumors that Williams accepted a wildcard to play at Indian Wells, but she declined.
Fans saw Williams frequently during the French Open as part of TNT Sports’ coverage. As soon as word spread about Williams accepting the wildcard to the DC Open, fans and journalists debated whether an unranked 45-year-old who last won a match in 2023 should get a free pass into the main draw.
Williams dismissed the controversy, telling journalists, « I’m not here for anyone else, except for me, and I also have nothing to prove. Zip, zero. »Venus Williams Holds Back Father Time
Father Time is undefeated and a few months ago, Williams looked as if she’d come to terms with the aging state of her game. However, her fiancé, actor Andrea Preti, who’d never seen her play live, encouraged Williams to return to tennis.
“I haven’t played in a year.
