Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: AFP

After staying away from tennis for over a year, American tennis legend Venus Williams made a strong and happy return. The 45-year-old star teamed up with her young partner, Hailey Baptiste, to play women’s doubles at the Washington Open on Monday.

Her Long Break from Tennis

Venus, who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles in her career, had not played a professional match for 16 months. Her last match was at the Miami Open in March last year. Many fans thought she might never return to the court, but she proved them wrong with her powerful comeback this week.

Winning Her First Match

In their round of 16 match, Venus and Baptiste played against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue. They won easily with scores of 6-3 and 6-1. This win sent them straight to the quarter-finals of the Washington Open. The crowd cheered loudly for Venus, who looked happy, fit, and confident on the court.

Venus Shares Her Feelings

After the match, Venus shared how it felt to be back. She said,

“It wasn’t easy for us, but we brought it together quickly as a team. I love this game and am still hitting it big.”

Her words showed her deep love for tennis and her joy at playing again.

Venus Jokes About Her Sister Serena

Venus, known for her humour, also joked about her new partner. She said she enjoyed playing with 23-year-old Baptiste so much that she should have teamed up with her years ago instead of playing with her sister Serena. Laughing, Venus said,

“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.”

Her Partnership with Serena Williams

This joke referred to her younger sister Serena Williams. Venus and Serena won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together and were one of the most successful doubles teams in tennis history. Fans always loved watching the two sisters play side by side.

Strong Skills Even After Long Break

Although Venus was away for many months, she showed her skills are still strong. Her serves were fast, and she played sharply at the net. She moved confidently and worked well with Baptiste, who was excited to play with her idol.

A Dream Come True for Hailey Baptiste

For Baptiste, playing with Venus was like a dream come true. She grew up watching Venus and Serena dominate tennis. Playing next to Venus in a professional match was an unforgettable experience. Their teamwork looked natural, and their energy made the crowd happy.

Venus – A True Tennis Legend

Venus has inspired millions around the world with her powerful game and never-give-up attitude. She started her professional tennis journey in 1994 and has been a role model ever since. Even after many injuries and health problems, she always returned to the court with determination.

Why This Comeback Matters

This comeback is special for her fans. It shows her dedication and love for tennis. At 45 years old, Venus is still competing with much younger players, proving that age is just a number when you have passion and discipline.

Future Matches in the Tournament

The Washington Open is an important tournament for Venus. Her win with Baptiste has given fans hope that she might continue playing in more tournaments this season. Many are excited to see if the duo can win the women’s doubles title in Washington.

Support from Her Coach and Team

Venus’s coach and team were proud of her performance. They said she trained hard to prepare for her comeback, focusing on building strength and footwork. Her hard work clearly showed in Monday’s match.

Upcoming Challenges

In the coming days, Venus and Baptiste will face tougher teams in the quarter-finals. But with their strong teamwork and positive mindset, fans believe they can go far in this tournament.

Venus’s Life Beyond Tennis

Apart from tennis, Venus runs her own activewear brand and often works in charity projects to help young girls play sports. Her achievements off the court are as inspiring as her victories on it.

This comeback has once again shown the world why Venus Williams is a true legend of tennis. She has proved that with dedication and love for your work, you can overcome any break or challenge in life.

As the Washington Open continues this week, all eyes will be on Venus and Baptiste to see how far they can go together. For now, fans are just happy to see Venus back, smiling and winning on the tennis court once again.