Venus Williams made history on the tennis court at the DC Open on Tuesday before revealing a surprising reason why she returned to competitive action
Venus Williams said she returned to tennis because she needed health insurance(Image: Scott Taetsch, Getty Images)
Tennis legend Venus Williams has claimed her stunning comeback to competitive tennis was due to her need for health coverage.
At the age of 45, Williams made history as the oldest tour-level singles winner since 2004 after beating Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the Mubadala Citi DC Open on Tuesday. Martina Navratilova is the only female tennis player to win a match at an older age – doing so at 47, some 21 years ago.
Given a wildcard entry into the event, Williams – who was an analyst for TNT’s French Open coverage in May – dominated the early rounds in her first official singles clash since March 2024. After tasting singles victory for the first time in almost two years, the American tennis icon then revealed a surprising reason behind her comeback.
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“I had to come back for the insurance, because they informed me this year that I’m on COBRA,” she said. “So it’s like, I got to get my benefits on.
Williams showed she still has what it takes to compete with the best, defeating Stearns, a player 22 years her junior, in front of a packed crowd at Stadium Court on Tuesday.
Specifically on COBRA, she faced the risk of high medical costs without new health insurance coverage, Williams – who had her uterine fibroid surgery last summer – explained.
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“I’m always at the doctor, so I had to get my benefits on and start training,” Williams shared, highlighting the financial realities many athletes face when they step away from competition.
On the court, Williams proved she’s still a force to be reckoned with. Her powerful serves over 110 mph, trademark determination, and sharp baseline play were all on display, proving she hasn’t lost her competitive edge despite her time off.
In addition to her singles win, Williams teamed up with local favorite Hailey Baptiste for a 6-3, 6-1 doubles victory on the sold-out John Harris Court. The enthusiastic crowd included NBA superstar Kevin Durant.
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“It’s just nice to be able to play,” she expressed after the match.
Health and happiness are top priorities for Williams this comeback. “My personal goal is to have fun and enjoy the moment, not put too much pressure on myself,” she shared on Sunday.
The surgery last summer, she admitted, “was very scary,” and governed her decision to return.
Bridging a generational divide while regaining physical wellness brings surprising complexity to Williams’s victorious comeback.
It serves as a powerful reminder that even superstars face everyday challenges away from the spotlight.