Venus Williams Returns to Winning Tennis With Hailey Baptiste

Washington Open: Venus Williams and Hailey Baptiste played in the Washington Open doubles on Monday, marking Venus’ successful comeback to tennis.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion is scheduled to return to singles on Tuesday, but she and Baptiste got off to a great start, defeating Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6-3 6-1.

Entering the tournament as a wildcard, Williams last secured a win at the Cincinnati Open in August 2023 and has not competed since the Miami Open in March 2024.

“It was inspiring to be out here. I love this game and still hitting it big,” Venus told.

The Williams sisters dominated the sport for many years, and Venus, who is returning to doubles after three years, has won 14 Grand Slam titles in women’s doubles with her sister Serena.

Venus will play fellow American Peyton Stearns in the women’s singles opening round on Tuesday, July 22.

She plans to participate in the next US Open as well. Just before the main singles event starts on August 19–20, the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) announced on Monday the 25 teams that will compete in the revamped 2025 US Open mixed doubles title.

Venus has partnered with fellow American Reilly Opelka among the competitors, and the two want to advance to the mixed doubles final cut.