Venus Williams enjoyed a winning return to competitive tennis after 16 months away, as she reached the quarterfinals of the women’s doubles at the DC Open alongside Hailey Baptiste.
The all-American pair defeated compatriot Clervie Ngounoue and the retiring Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-1 in the round of 16 for Williams’ first victory on the WTA Tour since August 2023, when she defeated Veronika Kudermetova in the opening round of the Cincinnati Open.
Williams, 45, gave her signature twirl after the match as she took in the adulation of the capacity crowd, reported CNN.
After the win, Williams joked that her and Baptiste should have partnered up much sooner.
Williams, who accepted wild cards to compete in the singles and doubles, will make her return in the singles competition when she faces American Peyton Stearns in the opening round on Tuesday.
