{"id":11577579,"date":"2025-07-24T17:03:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T21:03:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/?p=11577579"},"modified":"2025-07-25T15:06:25","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T19:06:25","slug":"venus-williams-return-dc-open-tennis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/2025\/07\/24\/venus-williams-return-dc-open-tennis\/","title":{"rendered":"Venus Williams takes lessons from DC Open in tennis return: ‘So grateful’"},"content":{"rendered":"

WASHINGTON \u2014 Venus Williams took the Mubadala Citi DC Open by storm.<\/p>\n

There was a palpable buzz and excitement each time she took the court for her four combined singles and doubles matches at Rock Creek Tennis Center. Williams played doubles alongside Washington native Hailey Baptiste<\/a>, which drew substantial crowds, including Houston Rockets forward<\/a> and Prince George’s County native Kevin Durant on Monday.<\/p>\n

With her straight-sets win over fellow American Peyton Stearns<\/a> on Tuesday evening, the 45-year-old Williams became the oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match since Martina Navratilova in 2004. On Thursday evening against Poland’s Magdalena Frech, the No. 5 seed and No. 24-ranked player in the world, Williams’ singles run came to an unceremonious end in the Round of 16 with a 6-2, 6-2 defeat.<\/p>\n

Williams started out strong in her first two service games with powerful forehand winners. However, she was unable to sustain that momentum and struggled with unforced errors the rest of the way. Despite the loss, Williams showcased the powerful hitting and confidence that propelled her to No. 1 in the world and seven Grand Slam titles.<\/p>\n

“I think this moment for me was so much anticipation,” Williams said. “It’s kind of hard to describe, because where I came from to be here is somewhere where I never thought I’d see myself in life. So then just to be here at all is really a blessing, and then to play well is just another blessing.”<\/p>\n

Returning to play after a 16-month absence, Williams also accepted a wild-card invitation to play in the Cincinnati Open<\/a>, which begins Aug. 5.<\/p>\n

It’s hard to quantify the impact of Williams’ return for both players and fans. Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka described Williams as an inspiration and said that she \u2014 as well as younger sister Serena, a 23-time major champ \u2014 influenced so many players throughout her career.<\/p>\n

When asked what’s most important to her about returning, Williams referenced the value and fortune of good health. Health concerns have been a constant challenge throughout her career, but Williams played four matches in four days this week and battled through hot and humid summer conditions in Washington.<\/p>\n

“I’m so grateful,” Williams said. “I feel like I ran out of gas today, unfortunately. I tried to find the energy and I didn’t find it.<\/p>\n

“Four matches in the first week is a lot. I love playing doubles. One of the reasons you don’t play is usually you’re just trying to save your energy, and plus it’s hot. When you’re doing the training and the warmup, you’re spending an extra hour sweating it out. I think without that doubles match, I don’t know if I could have played as well in the singles. I’m sorry to have fell short, but I know I can play better, and I know I will play better.”<\/p>\n

\"Venus
"I'm sorry to have fell short, but I know I can play better, and I know I will play better," Venus Williams said of losing in the Round of 16 at the DC Open on Thursday. (AP Photo\/Nick Wass)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While Williams’ game faltered as the match wore on, fan support never wavered. Throughout the second set fans chanted, “Here we go Venus, here we go!” as they attempted to will on the former champion and turn the tide of the match. Williams broke Frech for the first time late in the second set, but the 27-year-old remained composed and closed out the match soon after.<\/p>\n