WASHINGTON – Playing in the tournament for the first time in more than a year, and in nearly three times in doubles for the first time, Venus Williams hit a big serve on his first delivery at the DC Open on Monday.
Williams, 45, owner of 21 Grand Slam titles in singles and doubles, smiled incredibly, as did the other three players involved in the game in front of a full crowd, including NBA star Kevin Durant. And Williams went on to showcase her trademark power with several strokes, missed out on other strokes, and garnered a 6-3, 6-1 victory over 2014 Wimbledon runner-up Eugenie Bouchard and Clerby Nugunow.
Williams said on Sunday as he is preparing to return to action for the first time since opening in March 2024. Of course, I love winning. But more than anything, I want to do that.”
She did both – yes, yes, and made many contributions to the cause, but there are also good times, high fives, or fist-crushing Baptists after some of their best points, laughing at others and waving to the grateful crowd who cried out multiple times for Williams. She and Baptist hugged her when it was finished.
Full of 3,000-seat John Harris Courthouse, Durant appeared late in the first set, but halfway through the 7,500-capacity main stadium, only a few dozen spectators were scattered for a national singles match, including Murphy Cassone.
Tournament Director Daniel Valverdu was asked to comment on the court’s assignments. “The tournament works to balance the schedule of the ATP and WTA for full singles and doubles, while coordinating with the broadcaster’s requests for court allocations.”
Woven a white visor as she frequently did, Williams was introduced before joining doubles for the first time since the US opened in 2022 – when her partner was her sister Serena, the stadium announcer said Venus “has one of the best services in the history of the game.”
This will add seven major singles trophies (5 at Wimbledon and two at the US Open) and 14 more Olympic gold medals in Serena’s doubles.
“She is one of the greatest athletes of all time. She and her sister are not only perfect for women’s games, but also for women’s sports, but also iconic. “People get hooked to meet her.”
They certainly stood on Monday with a phone camera that was raised when Venus first appeared on the court.
I have other opportunities to meet her this week. In singles, Williams will face Payton Stearns, a 35-year-old American who won the NCAA singles and team championship at the University of Texas.
“I was surprised to see her in a draw this week,” said Emma Navarro, a US Open semifinalist a year ago and second place in Washington. “She’s clearly a game legend. I saw a video on Instagram about her hit here on the practice court.
Williams’ long absence from tennis was unnecessary. She spoke in an interview with NBC earlier this month about having procedures to remove uterine fibroids from the uterus.
“My health trip was very scary,” she said Sunday. “This time a year ago, I was ready to go for surgery. There was no way to play tennis or open the US, or even to the mind. I was just trying to get healthy.