Venus Williams Wins In Washington Doubles Opener After 16-Month Layoff
Venus, who does not have a ranking, won 14 major titles alongside Serena in the women's doubles, as the Williams sisters dominated the sport for many years.
She will face another American, Peyton Stearns, in the first round of the singles competition on Tuesday. When she takes the court as a wild card for her first singles match, she'll be the oldest player to compete at a WTA Tour-level main-draw match since Kimiko Date (then 46) seven years ago in Tokyo.
A victory on Tuesday Stearns, currently ranked No. 35, would make Williams the oldest to do it since Martina Navratilova (then 47) at Wimbledon 2004.
In the men's singles, Britain's Dan Evans and Cameron Norrie are through to the second round in Washington.
Evans, who won the Washington title in 2023, claimed a hard-fought win against Zizou Bergs 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. The 35-year-old wild card will next face 13th-seeded American Alex Michelsen.
Meanwhile, Norrie defeated British qualifier Billy Harris 6-3 7-6 (7-4) and faces French Open semi-finalist and second seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the second round.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
A reality dating show presented by US Open: Love games look good only in matches
It's not quite the centre-court showdown one might expect at a Grand Slam, but the USTA, organiser of the US Open, is hoping its latest wild card will still serve up some buzz. This year, a reality dating show, 'Game, Set, Matchmaker', will shadow a former figure skating champion as she volleys her way through seven romantic hopefuls — all on the tournament venue in the week leading up to the main event. The eight-episode series will air on YouTube, with the finale dropping during the women's final, because, of course, nothing pairs with a baseline rally like a soft-focus exchange about emotional availability. Critics are crying gimmick and if the serve feels a bit wide, it is with reason. Tennis has long flirted with the need to modernise but it has, so far, limited itself within the sport's ambit. The Australian Open has leaned into animated streaming to widen viewership; Wimbledon has relaxed its all-white dress code for women. In the US, despite the sport's grassroots popularity, national viewership still can't quite hold serve. And yet, dressing the tournament in reality-tv gloss runs the risk of overplaying the point. Tennis is, after all, a sport built on structure and restraint — its very essence born from the unscripted choreography of long rallies, the expectant hush between points, the tension of attacking and recalibrating in real time. If the USTA really wants to connect with a new generation, it might do well to trust the drama and plot twists embedded in the game. Tennis is inherently cinematic, a love story of unusual depth built on a foundation of showing up again and again — despite its overwhelming demands, despite the critics or the scoreboard. If tennis keeps mistaking visibility for vitality, it risks forgetting that relevance isn't built through novelty alone. It's built through storytelling that respects the game — and assumes the audience can, too.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf's daughter Jaz shows sweet support for dad's thoughtful leadership speech
Andre Agassi spoke on July 14, 2025, at the Shore Capital Partner's Annual Leadership Academy in New York City. The tennis star talked about leadership, mindset, and staying focused on purpose. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He joined Jish Bia for a fireside chat, and he thanked the hosts for having him. Soon after, his daughter, Jaz Agassi, saw a clip of the talk on Instagram. She wrote 'This is motivating' under her father's post. This short reply showed how much she loved and learned from his words. Andre Agassi's leadership speech at Shore Capital Partner's annual leadership academy On July 14 in New York City, Andre Agassi joined the Annual Leadership Academy run by Shore Capital Partner's. He spoke about why a clear purpose helps a person grow. He said that staying focused makes a big difference in any challenge. Andre Agassi shared stories from his tennis days, when he won eight Grand Slam titles and 60 tour-level events. Then he talked about life after tennis, like coaching Novak Djokovic and Grigor Dimitrov. He also mentioned how playing pickleball with Steffi Graf, his wife, keeps him active today. He posted a video and wrote: 'Great time joining @jishbia for a fireside chat at Shore Capital Partner's Annual Leadership Academy. Great conversation about leadership, mindset, and the power of staying focused on purpose. Thanks for having me.' Also Read: Andre Agassi on parenting and breaking old patterns Andre Agassi has spoken before about raising his kids, Jaden and Jaz. In a 2018 interview with The Telegraph, he said he did not want his children to feel forced into tennis. He spoke about breaking the 'cycle of dysfunction' from his own childhood. He said, 'My goal: We all try to break the cycle of dysfunction in our childhood. And I've done my best to do that in areas that I feel that I was denied, and I try to be the person that my father was to me in areas of offering strength. But you do a lot more learning as a parent than you do teaching, and I am always trying to learn.' Also in March 2025, Jaz Agassi showed support when her mother, Steffi Graf, taught young players at Huzhou Sports School in China. Jaz Agassi shared a clip of Graf's lesson and praised her mother's way of guiding kids. This shows that both parents inspire Jaz through their talks and actions.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Naomi Osaka cries in Netflix documentary as she shares how motherhood changed her tennis journey
Naomi Osaka cries in emotional trailer as she shares how motherhood changed her tennis journey (Image via Getty) Naomi Osaka cries in the new trailer for Naomi Osaka: The Second Set. This film shows how her life shifted after she became a mom. Her daughter, Shai, was born in July 2023 with rapper Cordae. The documentary premieres on Tubi on August 24, 2025. Tubi is an online service where anyone can stream shows and movies. Naomi Osaka is 27 years old and a four-time Grand Slam champion. The film is made by Hana Kuma and Nike. It is called a 'love letter' to Shai and to every mom who dreams big. Naomi Osaka says becoming a mom gave her career new meaning Naomi Osaka appears on screen with tears in her eyes. She says, 'I'm a tennis player, but I'm more than just an athlete.' Then she adds, 'I've never had a life outside of tennis.' Next, a commentator mentions her loss at the Australian Open earlier this year. Naomi Osaka admits, 'I know physically I'm not where I want to be.' She shares that after winning four Grand Slam titles, doubts crept into her mind. 'Who are you to think that you can come back?' she recalls hearing. The trailer cuts to Naomi running on court, lifting weights, and caring for Shai. She says, 'My return to the sport is a love letter for moms.' Then she smiles and ends with, 'Nothing is ever over and you're never out of the game.' Naomi Osaka talks about motherhood, pressure, and finding strength again Tamaki Osaka, Naomi's mother, speaks in the trailer. She recalls watching Venus Williams and Serena Williams play when Naomi Osaka was a child in Osaka, Japan. Tamaki says she knew early that tennis would shape her daughters' lives. Naomi's older sister, Mari Osaka, also became a pro player. Also Read: ' Stop Practicing With Men': Andre Agassi's Father Once Blamed Male Practice Partners For Shocking Downfall Of Serena Williams And Venus Williams Mari's career and Naomi's own wins at the US Open in 2018 and 2020, and the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, are highlighted. The trailer shows home videos of little Naomi Osaka holding a racket at age three. Tamaki smiles and calls the documentary 'our story,' from the first serve to the first steps of baby Shai. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
