Venus Williams became the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match in professional tennis, delivering some of her familiar big serves and groundstrokes at age 45 while beating Peyton Stearns — 22 years her junior — by a 6-3, 6-4 score at the DC Open on Tuesday night.

Kevin Durant attended Venus Williams and Hailey Baptiste's doubles match at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open. On Monday afternoon, Venus Williams played her first professional tennis match in over a year. Williams teamed up with Hailey Baptiste in doubles at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open.

Seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams to end year-long absence from court after receiving Washington Open wildcard; watch the DC Open from July 21-27 - and the 2025 US Open from August 24 to Sep

There are plenty of reasons why this particular victory by Venus Williams in this particular tennis match resonates with so many folks.

Venus, who won seven singles titles at grand slams between 2000 and 2008, last competed at the Miami Open in March last year

"She can take six months off and she clocks it clean," Venus said her younger sister ahead of her July appearance in the D.C. Open. "You can't teach that kind of talent. She's just so good." Serena is 19-12 all-time against Venus,