Venus Williams is gearing up to return to competitive tennis as she prepares to face Peyton Stearns in the first round of the Mubadala Citi DC Open. This will mark Williams’ first match on the WTA tour since March 2024. The 45-year-old tennis legend accepted a wild card into the tournament, which is part of the WTA 500 series, after last competing at the 2024 Miami Open.
Stearns, a rising star at 23 years old, is currently ranked No. 28 after achieving significant success earlier this spring, including a remarkable run to her first WTA 1000 semifinal in Italy. This matchup between the two American players is particularly exciting as it will be their first encounter on the court.
Williams has a notable history with the Washington DC tennis community. Although her last appearance at the Citi Open in 2022 ended in a first-round defeat to Canadian qualifier Rebecca Marino, Williams has been an influential figure in the area, especially through her participation in World TeamTennis with the Washington Kastles, where she contributed to five team championships.
Her return to the game after a hiatus is highly anticipated, and fans remain hopeful that she will showcase her legendary skills on the court once again. As she takes this step back into competition, the enthusiasm surrounding her matches reflects the enduring impact she has had on the sport.