When Venus Williams’ final forehand sailed long on Thursday night, ending her run at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, the crowd inside the tournament’s main stadium rose to their feet in a standing ovation. Although it was a 6-2 6-2 loss to world No. 24 Magdalena Frech in the second round, the seven-time Grand Slam champion soaked in the moment with a smile, a twirl, and a wave more often seen after victories than defeats.
This tournament marked Williams’ return to singles competition after more than a year away from the sport. And while her campaign ended earlier than hoped, simply stepping back on court was a triumph in itself, both for the 45-year-old icon and for the fans who had waited so long to see her play again.