Venus Williams has become the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match in professional tennis and the oldest in 21 years.<\/p>\n
The 45-year-old delivered some of her familiar big serves and groundstrokes while beating compatriot Peyton Stearns \u2014 22 years her junior \u2014 by a 6-3, 6-4 score at the DC Open.<\/p>\n
This was the first singles victory for Williams in nearly two years. The only older woman to win a match was Martina Navratilova at 47 in 2004.<\/p>\n
“It is not easy to [come back] after all that time and play the perfect match,” Williams said.<\/p>\n
The former world number one had not played singles in an official match since March 2024 in Miami, missing time while having surgery to remove uterine fibroids.<\/p>\n
She had not won in singles since August 2023 in Cincinnati. Until this week, she was listed by the WTA Tour as “inactive” and she does not have a ranking.<\/p>\n
Williams said she found out she had been placed on COBRA benefits, a government scheme that allows people to keep limited health insurance after a change in eligibility.<\/p>\n
“I had to come back for the insurance because they informed earlier this year I’m on COBRA,” she said courtside.<\/p>\n
“So I was like, ‘I’ve got to get my benefits,’ [and] started training.<\/p>\n
“You guys know what it’s like and let me tell you, I’m always at the doctor so I need this insurance.”<\/p>\n
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