Venus Williams makes resilient return at 45
Renowned American tennis player Venus Williams, a winner of seven Grand Slam titles, has returned to the professional circuit at 45. She won a doubles match at the WTA Washington Open.
Having been absent from the court for 16 months, Venus Williams partnered with fellow American Hailey Baptiste. In the Round of 16, the duo faced off against the Canadian-American pair Eugenie Bouchard/Clervie Ngounoue. It was a match dominated by Williams and her teammate, which they won 6-3, 6-1 in just one hour and 13 minutes.
"You can play all the matches you want, do everything you want, but when you don't have your health, you don't have the same opportunities; you look at everything from a different perspective. I was injured, but I had surgery, and I got through that difficult time. Tennis remains an obsession," said Venus Williams.
Venus Williams will also compete in the singles draw at the WTA Washington Open. In the first round, she will face her compatriot Peyton Stearns, who is the world No. 35 and is 22 years her junior.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
