Venus Williams Advances To Second Round Of Washington Open

Venus Williams became the second oldest woman to win a WTA Tour-level singles match by beating Peyton Stearns at the Washington Open on Wednesday.

The 45-year-old defeated world number 35 Peyton Stearns 6-3 6-4 in the first round to continue her impressive form since returning to Tennis after a 16-month break.

Williams is the oldest woman to win a singles match on tour since Martina Navratilova at the age of 47 in 2004.

The American seven-time Grand Slam champion accepted a wildcard for the event in Washington for her first appearance since the Miami Open in March last year.

Williams has enjoyed a stunning career since she made her Tennis debut in October 1994.

The WHISTLER takes a look at the top five records set by Venus Williams in her illustrious career.

Oldest Woman to Win a WTA Title (in the 21st Century)

Venus Williams became the oldest player to win a WTA singles title in the Open Era (since 1968) in 2016 when she won the Taiwan Open title at age 36. Her performance not only proved her longevity but also emphasized her exceptional fitness and competitive edge in her late 30s.

Five Wimbledon Singles Titles

Venus has always enjoyed a prolific time at the Wimbledon Open, she won her first title at the SW6 in 2000 before going on to win the prestigious tournament five times in (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008). Due to her dominance on the grass courts, she was nicknamed “The Queen of Wimbledon.” She has also played in nine Wimbledon singles finals, second only to Martina Navratilova.

Most Olympic Medals Won by a Female Tennis Player

Venus Williams has four Olympic gold medals and one silver, making her one of the most decorated tennis Olympians in history. She shares this record with her sister, Serena Williams.

She won the singles and doubles gold medal in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia before winning the Doubles gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in China.

Venus also won the gold medal in the doubles at the 2012 Olympics in London, and the silver medal in the mixed doubles at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil.

First African-American Woman to Reach World No. 1 in Open Era

In February 2002, Venus Williams made history by becoming the first African-American woman to be ranked world No. 1 in the WTA rankings during the Open Era.

This milestone was not only personal but symbolic, breaking racial barriers and inspiring future generations of Black athletes.

Longest Span Between Grand Slam Finals

Venus Williams reached her first Grand Slam final in 1997 (US Open) and her most recent in 2017 (Australian Open, Wimbledon), marking a 20-year span between major final appearances, the longest in modern tennis history.

She has been ranked as the world No. 1 in women’s singles by the WTA for 11 weeks, and as the world No. 1 in women’s doubles for eight weeks.

Williams has won 49 WTA Tour–level singles titles, including seven majors (five at Wimbledon and two at the US Open), as well as a gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

She has also won 22 doubles titles, including 14 majors and three Olympic gold medals.

Venus Williams will continue her run in the Washington Open against Poland’s Magdalena Frech in the round of 16 on Thursday.