Washington Open 2025: Venus Williams Makes Winning Comeback In Doubles, Aged 45

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 Washington Open on Monday (July 21, 2025) 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.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 22 July 2025 12:01 pm

Venus Williams Washington Open 2025 | Photo: AP/Nick Wass

Venus Williams waves to the crowd after a doubles match with Hailey Baptiste against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue at the Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington.

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Washington Open 2025 Venus Williams | Photo: AP/Nick Wass

Venus Williams hits a ball toward the crowd after a doubles match with Hailey Baptiste against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue at the Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington.

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Citi Open Tennis Tournament Venus Williams and Hailey Baptiste

Citi Open Tennis Tournament | Photo: AP/Nick Wass

Venus Williams, right, and Hailey Baptiste, left, start to celebrate after they defeated Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue in a doubles match at the Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington.

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Washington Tennis | Photo: AP/Nick Wass

Hailey Baptiste, top left, and Venus Williams top right, compete during a doubles match against Eugenie Bouchard, bottom right, and Clervie Ngounoue, bottom left, at the Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington.

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Washington Open 2025 | Photo: AP/Nick Wass

Eugenie Bouchard, right, and Clervie Ngounoue, left, react during a doubles match against Hailey Baptiste and Venus Williams at the Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington.

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Washington Tennis Tournament | Photo: AP/Nick Wass

Hailey Baptiste, top left, and Venus Williams top right, compete during a doubles match against Eugenie Bouchard, bottom left, and Clervie Ngounoue, bottom right, at the Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington.

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Hailey Baptiste Washington Open 2025 | Photo: AP/Nick Wass

Hailey Baptiste returns the ball during a doubles match with Venus Williams against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue at the Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington.

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Citi Open Tennis Tournament Venus Williams

Washington Open 2025 | Photo: AP/Nick Wass

Venus Williams reaches for the ball during a doubles match with Hailey Baptiste against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue at the Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington.

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Citi Open Tennis Tournament Venus Williams | Photo: AP/Nick Wass

Venus Williams reaches for the ball during a doubles match with Hailey Baptiste against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue at the Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington.