Latest news with #Venus Williams
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Venus Williams wins doubles match at DC Open in return to tournament play
The post Venus Williams wins doubles match at DC Open in return to tournament play appeared first on ClutchPoints. Venus Williams had a dominant return to the court in doubles at the DC Open. The 45-year-old tennis icon had last played at the 2024 Miami Open and appeared to be retired after a decorated career. In singles, Williams' accolades include winning seven major titles, including five at Wimbledon and two at the US Open, winning the individual gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and achieving the world No. 1 ranking on numerous occasions. While that is an all-time great resume, Venus might be an even better player in doubles. Alongside her sister Serena, Venus has won 14 doubles majors, including each slam at least twice, and three Olympic gold medals. To add on, Williams also has two grand slams in mixed doubles. Serena, who is by most accounts the greatest women's singles player of all time, has admitted several times that Venus is the better doubles player between the two. And Williams showed several flashes of that legendary form alongside Hailey Baptiste. The two Americans were taking on fellow compatriot Clervie Ngounoue and Canada's Eugenie Bouchard in the first round of the DC Open. Bouchard is in the midst of her own retirement tour, which will conclude later this month at the National Bank Open in Montreal. After a slow start, which saw them down 3-1, Williams and Baptiste rallied to win eleven of the match's last twelve games, ultimately securing a 6-3, 6-1 victory. Venus, who has been nursing several lower-body injuries over the past few years, especially around her knees, looked fresher and mobile than she had last year, hitting her legendary backhand cleanly and finishing multiple points at the net. While the two Americans have a second-round match coming up soon, Williams will now turn her attention to singles, where she will play another American, Peyton Stearns, in the round of 32. The 23-year-old is a rising star on the pro level after a decorated college career at Texas. Stearns is currently ranked No. 33 in the world and the clear favorite heading into this match. Williams has already made it clear that she is participating in the US Open in mixed doubles alongside Reilly Opelka. And, after one match, it certainly looks like Venus is in form to compete at this level in the doubles sphere. Tomorrow against Stearns will likely go a long way in determining whether Williams will seek a wild-card entry into the US Open main draw in singles. Overall, regardless of what happens, it's great to see an icon of the game still able to play and succeed at this level. Every match for Williams going forward is a celebration. Related: Venus Williams' honest take on Serena Williams' retirement
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Venus Williams' doubles run at DC Open cut short after 2nd-round loss
The post Venus Williams' doubles run at DC Open cut short after 2nd-round loss appeared first on ClutchPoints. Venus Williams' improbable run at the DC Open has come to an end in part. On Thursday, she was eliminated in the second round of the doubles tournament, per ESPN. Williams and her doubles partner Hailey Baptiste lost to No. 2-seeded Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai 6-4, 3-6, 10-6 in a tiebreaker. Nevertheless, Williams is still competing in the singles tournament and is set to take on Magdalena Fręch in the Round of 16 on Thursday. On Tuesday, Williams at 45 became the second oldest player to win a WTA singles match. She defeated Peyton Stearns in straight sets 6-4, 6-3. All this happened as Williams was making some changes to her life. She announced her engagement to actor Andrea Preti. At the same time, Williams said it would mean more to play if Serena were to come out of retirement. While Serena has gotten much of the glow over the years, Venus has never been too far behind. Venus Williams adds to her legendary status Since emerging onto the scene at 14, Venus has amassed a stellar pedigree. She has won 7 Grand Slam singles titles and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles (all with Serena). In addition, Williams has captured four Olympic gold medals (one in singles, three in doubles). She, along with Serena, helped change the face of tennis with their story, fashion sense, and activism. Venus was the one who led the charge for equal pay at Grand Slam tournaments. A pursuit which culminated in 2007 when Wimbledon offered equal prize money. A tournament in which she won. She still has a chance to go far if not win the DC Open singles title. A feat that would place her in the same category of Jack Nicklaus and George Foreman. Athletes who achieved big things at an advanced age. Nicklaus famously won the Masters in 1986 at age 46. Foreman recaptured the heavyweight championship at age 45 in 1994. Related: Venus Williams reveals engagement to actor after historic comeback win Related: Venus Williams drops hilarious quote after huge DC Open win
CNN
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Venus Williams confirms she is engaged to actor Andrea Preti
Venus Williams' winning return to the professional tennis tour also came with a surprise announcement: She is engaged. After becoming the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match, Williams gave thanks to her fiance, who was in the stands at the DC Open. He is Andrea Preti, who is a Danish-born Italian model and actor, according to the website IMDB. The 45-year-old Williams hadn't played in a tournament in 16 months until entering the event in Washington. She won a doubles match on Monday and a singles match on Tuesday, before losing in doubles on Wednesday. Williams, who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, is scheduled to face Magdalena Frech in the second round on Thursday night.
The Independent
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Venus Williams says she is engaged to Andrea Preti after her first singles win in 16 months
Venus Williams ' winning return to the professional tennis tour also came with a surprise announcement: She is engaged. After becoming the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match, Williams gave thanks to her fiance, who was in the stands at the DC Open. He is Andrea Preti, who is a Danish-born Italian model and actor, according to the website IMDB. The 45-year-old Williams hadn't played in a tournament in 16 months until entering the event in Washington. She won a doubles match on Monday and a singles match on Tuesday, before losing in doubles on Wednesday. Williams, who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, is scheduled to face Magdalena Frech in the second round on Thursday night. ___ AP tennis:
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Venus Williams says she is engaged to Andrea Preti after her first singles win in 16 months
WASHINGTON (AP) — Venus Williams' winning return to the professional tennis tour also came with a surprise announcement: She is engaged. After becoming the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match, Williams gave thanks to her fiance, who was in the stands at the DC Open. He is Andrea Preti, who is a Danish-born Italian model and actor, according to the website IMDB. The 45-year-old Williams hadn't played in a tournament in 16 months until entering the event in Washington. She won a doubles match on Monday and a singles match on Tuesday, before losing in doubles on Wednesday. Williams, who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, is scheduled to face Magdalena Frech in the second round on Thursday night. ___ AP tennis:
