45-year-old Venus Williams becomes second oldest WTA player to win a Singles Match

Overview

• Venus Williams proved that 'Age is just a number' by beating Peyton Stearns in the first round of the Mudabala Citi DC Open 2025
• At the age of 45, Venus became the second youngest WTA star to win a Singles Match
• Venus understood the challenge ahead of her and claimed to be up for it

Venus Williams scripted history in her first-round match against Peyton Stearns at the Mudabala Citi DC Open 2025, as she beat the World No.36 in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 at the age of 45 and became the second oldest WTA star to win a Singles Match. In her upcoming game, the 7-time Grand Slam Champion will face the fifth seed Magdalena Frech.

Earlier this week, the star player returned to action with her doubles partner, Hailey Baptiste, and shined with a win. Her performance was a notch better against her fellow American star, as she became the oldest WTA star to win a Singles match since 2004. The record still remains with Martina Navratilova, who won at Wimbledon at the age of 47.

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After her match, Venus spoke in the Post Match Conference and felt she was a bit too aggressive. The star player felt the need to find the right balance between caution and aggression from her upcoming games. Venus claimed to have the fire still left in her to win despite being one of the oldest players on the circuit.

"I think I just attacked the whole time. It's just trying to find the right balance between going too hard and not enough. It's the same because this is what I do, but at the same time, it was imperative for me to do it. Now I don't have to do this, but I have the same fire and the same want to win," said Venus Williams after her win against Peyton Stearns.

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"I know I'll have to fight for every match, but I'm up for that." - Venus Williams

While Williams was confident of her win, she was aware of the fact that she wasn't at her best to do what she intended to. Venus hoped to get back into her groove. She added that her win against Peyton was big, given her age. While she understood it wasn't easy for her, Venus claimed it's challenging for everyone, and added that she was up for the fight.

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"In some ways, I'm still getting back into that. When you do it every day, everything is natural. Not as natural feeling now, but I hope I can get back to that. I think it was a big win for me today. Like I said, it's not easy. It won't be easy. It's not easy for anyone out here. So I know I'll have to fight for every match, but I'm up for that," added Venus in her statement.