Tennis icon Venus Williams made a dazzling return to competition at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, clinching a dominant victory in the women’s doubles round of 16 after a 16-month break. Partnering with fellow American Hailey Baptiste, the 45-year-old former world number one cruised past Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6-3 6-1.
This marked her first doubles appearance in three years, and her first match overall since the 2024 Miami Open. Her last win came at the Cincinnati Open in August 2023. The crowd erupted with emotion as the unranked Venus stepped onto the John Harris Court.