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5 hours ago
- Sport
Venus Williams wins a doubles match at Washington in her first tournament in more than a year
WASHINGTON -- Competing at a tournament for the first time in more than a year, and in doubles for the first time in nearly three, Venus Williams hit a big serve on her initial delivery at the DC Open on Monday and, curiously, it was wiped out by a foot-fault call. The 45-year-old Williams, an owner of 21 Grand Slam titles across singles and doubles, smiled incredulously, as did the other three players involved in the match in front of a full crowd that eventually included NBA star Kevin Durant. And then Williams carried on, displaying her trademark power on some strokes while teaming with Hailey Baptiste for a 6-3, 6-1 victory against 2014 Wimbledon runner-up Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue. 'It's just nice to be able to play. Where I am at this year is so much different where I was at last year. It's night and day, being able to be here and prepare for the tournament as opposed to preparing for surgery a year ago,' said Williams, who spoke in an interview with NBC earlier this month about having a procedure to remove fibroids from her uterus. 'At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter if your health is not there. So it definitely put it in perspective for me and maybe made it easier to make the decision to maybe come back out here and maybe play even freer.' Her most recent match had been at the Miami Open in March 2024, and she said Sunday she had two goals in Washington: to have fun and to win. She did both — winning, yes, and contributing plenty to the cause, but also having a good time, high-fiving or fist-bumping Baptiste after some of their best points, laughing after others and waving to an appreciative group of fans that roared over and over for Williams. She and Baptiste hugged when it ended. 'The crowd was insane. From the moment we stepped out of the players area, you could kind of feel the buzz. Walking onto the court, just felt all the love for the both of us,' said Baptiste, a 23-year-old from Washington. 'I was obviously very nervous to play with her. I didn't want to let her down, first match back and everything." It was full at 3,000-seat John Harris Court, where Durant showed up late in the first set, while across the way at the 7,500-capacity main stadium, only a few dozen spectators were scattered in the stands for an all-American singles match in which Reilly Opelka defeated Murphy Cassone. Asked to comment about the court assignments, tournament director Daniel Vallverdú said: 'The tournament works to balance full singles and doubles ATP and WTA schedules, while coordinating with broadcaster requests for court assignments.' When Williams, wearing a white visor as she so often has, was introduced before participating in doubles for the first time since the 2022 U.S. Open — when her partner was younger sister Serena — the stadium announcer mentioned that Venus has 'one of the best serves in the history of the game,' that she 'turned pro in the last century' and 'has won everything.' That includes seven major singles trophies — five at Wimbledon, two at the U.S. Open — and an additional 14 in doubles with Serena, plus four Olympic gold medals. 'She's 14 years older than me and still plugging away,' said Bouchard, 31, a former top-five player who announced that next week's tournament in Montreal will be the last of her career. 'I have nothing but respect for her. She's such a legend. That was a pretty cool crowd for a doubles match.' They sure were into it Monday, standing with phone cameras raised high when Venus first appeared at the court — and again when it ended. There will be other opportunities to see her this week: In singles, Williams was scheduled to play Tuesday night against Peyton Stearns, a 23-year-old American currently ranked No. 35 who won NCAA singles and team championships at the University of Texas.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Venus Williams makes winning return to tennis aged 45
Venus Williams enjoyed a winning return to competitive tennis after 16 months away as she reached the quarterfinals of the women's doubles at the DC Open alongside Hailey Baptiste. The all-American pair defeated compatriot Clervie Ngounoue and the retiring Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-1 in the round of 16 for Williams' first victory on the WTA Tour since August 2023, when she defeated Veronika Kudermetova in the opening round of the Cincinnati Open. Williams, 45, gave her signature twirl after the match as she took in the adulation of the capacity crowd. 'It's just nice to be able to play,' Williams said after the match, per the Associated Press. 'Where I am at this year is so much different where I was at last year. It's night and day, being able to be here and prepare for the tournament as opposed to preparing for surgery a year ago.' Williams told NBC earlier this month that she had undergone surgery to remove fibroids from her uterus, a condition she said had affected her career and life for years. 'At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter if your health is not there,' she added. 'So, it definitely put it in perspective for me and maybe made it easier to make the decision to maybe come back out here and maybe play even freer.' It was the first time Williams had stepped onto the court at all for an official match since an opening-round defeat to Diana Shnaider at the Miami Open in March 2024. Her last doubles match was almost three years ago. Williams, who is currently without a ranking in singles or doubles, has won seven grand slam singles titles and 14 in doubles alongside youngster sister Serena, as well as two mixed doubles titles in 1998. After the win, Williams joked that her and Baptiste should have partnered up much sooner. 'I think, from the first point, I could see that we were going to be a good team,' she said. 'We just should have started playing earlier, years ago, right? I think Serena was just in the way.' Williams, who accepted wild cards to compete in the singles and doubles, will make her return in the singles competition when she faces American Peyton Stearns in the opening round on Tuesday.
NDTV
10 hours ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Venus Williams Wins In Washington Doubles Opener After 16-Month Layoff
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams emerged victorious in her first professional tennis match in 16 months, joining Hailey Baptiste to defeat fellow doubles wild cards Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue in the DC Open first round. It was a sharp turnaround. Down 3-1 and facing a break point, Venus and Baptiste rallied to win 11 of the last 12 games. This is Venus' second appearance at the D.C. event, following a first-round loss in 2022. The 45-year-old former world number one, who accepted a wildcard for the tournament, had not competed since the Miami Open in March 2024 - and last won at the Cincinnati Open in August 2023. "It was inspiring to be out here. I love this game and still hitting it big. I think from the first point I could see that we were going to be a good team. We just should have started playing earlier, years ago, right? I think Serena was just in the way," Venus told Sky Sports. 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.
Hans India
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Venus Williams wins in Washington doubles opener after 16-month layoff
Washington: Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams emerged victorious in her first professional tennis match in 16 months, joining Hailey Baptiste to defeat fellow doubles wild cards Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue in the DC Open first round. It was a sharp turnaround. Down 3-1 and facing a break point, Venus and Baptiste rallied to win 11 of the last 12 games. This is Venus' second appearance at the D.C. event, following a first-round loss in 2022. The 45-year-old former world number one, who accepted a wildcard for the tournament, had not competed since the Miami Open in March 2024 - and last won at the Cincinnati Open in August 2023. "It was inspiring to be out here. I love this game and still hitting it big. I think from the first point I could see that we were going to be a good team. We just should have started playing earlier, years ago, right? I think Serena was just in the way," Venus told Sky Sports. 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.
The Advertiser
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Knee 'cooked' but Kyrgios back on track for US Open
Nick Kyrgios has come through his first match since March, and just his sixth this year, completing just under an hour on court in a men's doubles defeat at the ATP Tour's DC Open. Partnering French veteran Gael Monfils, and playing in front of NBA star Kevin Durant, the pair had a tough opening draw against third seeds Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys, and were beaten 6-2 6-2. Nonetheless, just being on court in the Washington heat was something of an achievement for the 30-year-old Australian who has been dogged by injury since reaching the Wimbledon final in 2022. Kyrgios has a current ATP ranking of 640, but has activated his protected ranking of 21 to be included on the official entry list for the final grand slam of the year in New York. "I wanted to play singles, but six weeks ago I had a bit of a niggle with my knee," Kyrgios said. "So it's just going to take a bit more time." Worryingly though the Canberran did grab at his knee during the contest and limped towards the end, later posting on Instagram: "Knee cooked but fans still f****d with us." Kyrgios last played doubles at the Australian Open in January, calling it quits in his opening match alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis when 7-5 3-2 down to fellow Aussies James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic. He subsequently played three singles matches, retiring when trailling 7-6 (8-6) 3-0 in the first round at Indian Wells in March. The wrist he had an operation on in September 2023 was still an issue. However, he reached the second round at the Miami Open later in the month, beating McKenzie McDonald for his first singles win since 2022. In the second round he lost to Karen Khachanov and this outing in the US capital was his first match since. Roger-Vasselin and Nys will next face Australia's Paris Olympics doubles champions Matt Ebden and John Peers after their straight-sets win. Earlier on Monday, Chris O'Connell went down 6-3 6-2 to American Ethan Quinn, while Vukic overcame big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4 3-6 6-3. Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin are also in the ATP 500 event but have received first-round byes. De Minaur told he was hoping to use the tournament as a springboard to climb the rankings ahead of the US Open. The hip injury suffered at Wimbledon 2024 meant the Australian No.1 did not play any of the hardcourt warm-ups before Flushing Meadows, so he has plenty of ranking points to gain. "It was somewhat difficult at the start of the year and mentally taxing knowing that I had zeros on my ranking because I missed Masters events," the current world No.13 said. "I knew it would be important to put myself in a good position for the back end of the year when I have little to defend, giving hope that I could gain some serious points and momentum and build on the ranking. "So going into the tail end of the year, I'm excited for the opportunity and hoping I can play good tennis and take care of my chances." Looking further ahead the Sydneysider added: "I've got the experience now. I've got the knowledge, the physicality side of things. Everything is just there for me to go out and perform. "I can really have a swing these next three or four years and really show that I'm at my peak and break through some barriers. "I'm ready to go deep into tournaments. It's just up to myself to put those results right." Nick Kyrgios has come through his first match since March, and just his sixth this year, completing just under an hour on court in a men's doubles defeat at the ATP Tour's DC Open. Partnering French veteran Gael Monfils, and playing in front of NBA star Kevin Durant, the pair had a tough opening draw against third seeds Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys, and were beaten 6-2 6-2. Nonetheless, just being on court in the Washington heat was something of an achievement for the 30-year-old Australian who has been dogged by injury since reaching the Wimbledon final in 2022. Kyrgios has a current ATP ranking of 640, but has activated his protected ranking of 21 to be included on the official entry list for the final grand slam of the year in New York. "I wanted to play singles, but six weeks ago I had a bit of a niggle with my knee," Kyrgios said. "So it's just going to take a bit more time." Worryingly though the Canberran did grab at his knee during the contest and limped towards the end, later posting on Instagram: "Knee cooked but fans still f****d with us." Kyrgios last played doubles at the Australian Open in January, calling it quits in his opening match alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis when 7-5 3-2 down to fellow Aussies James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic. He subsequently played three singles matches, retiring when trailling 7-6 (8-6) 3-0 in the first round at Indian Wells in March. The wrist he had an operation on in September 2023 was still an issue. However, he reached the second round at the Miami Open later in the month, beating McKenzie McDonald for his first singles win since 2022. In the second round he lost to Karen Khachanov and this outing in the US capital was his first match since. Roger-Vasselin and Nys will next face Australia's Paris Olympics doubles champions Matt Ebden and John Peers after their straight-sets win. Earlier on Monday, Chris O'Connell went down 6-3 6-2 to American Ethan Quinn, while Vukic overcame big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4 3-6 6-3. Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin are also in the ATP 500 event but have received first-round byes. De Minaur told he was hoping to use the tournament as a springboard to climb the rankings ahead of the US Open. The hip injury suffered at Wimbledon 2024 meant the Australian No.1 did not play any of the hardcourt warm-ups before Flushing Meadows, so he has plenty of ranking points to gain. "It was somewhat difficult at the start of the year and mentally taxing knowing that I had zeros on my ranking because I missed Masters events," the current world No.13 said. "I knew it would be important to put myself in a good position for the back end of the year when I have little to defend, giving hope that I could gain some serious points and momentum and build on the ranking. "So going into the tail end of the year, I'm excited for the opportunity and hoping I can play good tennis and take care of my chances." Looking further ahead the Sydneysider added: "I've got the experience now. I've got the knowledge, the physicality side of things. Everything is just there for me to go out and perform. "I can really have a swing these next three or four years and really show that I'm at my peak and break through some barriers. "I'm ready to go deep into tournaments. It's just up to myself to put those results right." Nick Kyrgios has come through his first match since March, and just his sixth this year, completing just under an hour on court in a men's doubles defeat at the ATP Tour's DC Open. Partnering French veteran Gael Monfils, and playing in front of NBA star Kevin Durant, the pair had a tough opening draw against third seeds Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys, and were beaten 6-2 6-2. Nonetheless, just being on court in the Washington heat was something of an achievement for the 30-year-old Australian who has been dogged by injury since reaching the Wimbledon final in 2022. Kyrgios has a current ATP ranking of 640, but has activated his protected ranking of 21 to be included on the official entry list for the final grand slam of the year in New York. "I wanted to play singles, but six weeks ago I had a bit of a niggle with my knee," Kyrgios said. "So it's just going to take a bit more time." Worryingly though the Canberran did grab at his knee during the contest and limped towards the end, later posting on Instagram: "Knee cooked but fans still f****d with us." Kyrgios last played doubles at the Australian Open in January, calling it quits in his opening match alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis when 7-5 3-2 down to fellow Aussies James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic. He subsequently played three singles matches, retiring when trailling 7-6 (8-6) 3-0 in the first round at Indian Wells in March. The wrist he had an operation on in September 2023 was still an issue. However, he reached the second round at the Miami Open later in the month, beating McKenzie McDonald for his first singles win since 2022. In the second round he lost to Karen Khachanov and this outing in the US capital was his first match since. Roger-Vasselin and Nys will next face Australia's Paris Olympics doubles champions Matt Ebden and John Peers after their straight-sets win. Earlier on Monday, Chris O'Connell went down 6-3 6-2 to American Ethan Quinn, while Vukic overcame big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4 3-6 6-3. Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin are also in the ATP 500 event but have received first-round byes. De Minaur told he was hoping to use the tournament as a springboard to climb the rankings ahead of the US Open. The hip injury suffered at Wimbledon 2024 meant the Australian No.1 did not play any of the hardcourt warm-ups before Flushing Meadows, so he has plenty of ranking points to gain. "It was somewhat difficult at the start of the year and mentally taxing knowing that I had zeros on my ranking because I missed Masters events," the current world No.13 said. "I knew it would be important to put myself in a good position for the back end of the year when I have little to defend, giving hope that I could gain some serious points and momentum and build on the ranking. "So going into the tail end of the year, I'm excited for the opportunity and hoping I can play good tennis and take care of my chances." Looking further ahead the Sydneysider added: "I've got the experience now. I've got the knowledge, the physicality side of things. Everything is just there for me to go out and perform. "I can really have a swing these next three or four years and really show that I'm at my peak and break through some barriers. "I'm ready to go deep into tournaments. It's just up to myself to put those results right." Nick Kyrgios has come through his first match since March, and just his sixth this year, completing just under an hour on court in a men's doubles defeat at the ATP Tour's DC Open. Partnering French veteran Gael Monfils, and playing in front of NBA star Kevin Durant, the pair had a tough opening draw against third seeds Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys, and were beaten 6-2 6-2. Nonetheless, just being on court in the Washington heat was something of an achievement for the 30-year-old Australian who has been dogged by injury since reaching the Wimbledon final in 2022. Kyrgios has a current ATP ranking of 640, but has activated his protected ranking of 21 to be included on the official entry list for the final grand slam of the year in New York. "I wanted to play singles, but six weeks ago I had a bit of a niggle with my knee," Kyrgios said. "So it's just going to take a bit more time." Worryingly though the Canberran did grab at his knee during the contest and limped towards the end, later posting on Instagram: "Knee cooked but fans still f****d with us." Kyrgios last played doubles at the Australian Open in January, calling it quits in his opening match alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis when 7-5 3-2 down to fellow Aussies James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic. He subsequently played three singles matches, retiring when trailling 7-6 (8-6) 3-0 in the first round at Indian Wells in March. The wrist he had an operation on in September 2023 was still an issue. However, he reached the second round at the Miami Open later in the month, beating McKenzie McDonald for his first singles win since 2022. In the second round he lost to Karen Khachanov and this outing in the US capital was his first match since. Roger-Vasselin and Nys will next face Australia's Paris Olympics doubles champions Matt Ebden and John Peers after their straight-sets win. Earlier on Monday, Chris O'Connell went down 6-3 6-2 to American Ethan Quinn, while Vukic overcame big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4 3-6 6-3. Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin are also in the ATP 500 event but have received first-round byes. De Minaur told he was hoping to use the tournament as a springboard to climb the rankings ahead of the US Open. The hip injury suffered at Wimbledon 2024 meant the Australian No.1 did not play any of the hardcourt warm-ups before Flushing Meadows, so he has plenty of ranking points to gain. "It was somewhat difficult at the start of the year and mentally taxing knowing that I had zeros on my ranking because I missed Masters events," the current world No.13 said. "I knew it would be important to put myself in a good position for the back end of the year when I have little to defend, giving hope that I could gain some serious points and momentum and build on the ranking. "So going into the tail end of the year, I'm excited for the opportunity and hoping I can play good tennis and take care of my chances." Looking further ahead the Sydneysider added: "I've got the experience now. I've got the knowledge, the physicality side of things. Everything is just there for me to go out and perform. "I can really have a swing these next three or four years and really show that I'm at my peak and break through some barriers. "I'm ready to go deep into tournaments. It's just up to myself to put those results right."
