• Venus Williams returns to competitive tennis after 16 months with a doubles win.
• Teaming with Hailey Baptiste, Williams won 6-3, 6-1 at the Washington Open.
• Venus jokingly credited her new partner, saying she should have played with Baptiste earlier.
• She's set to compete in singles against Peyton Stearns in the upcoming round.
• Williams underwent surgery last year, impacting her previous tennis career.

Venus Williams made a triumphant return to the tennis court after a 16-month layoff, teaming up with Hailey Baptiste to win their round of 16 match at the Washington Open. The pair secured a convincing victory against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue with a score of 6-3, 6-1, marking a significant comeback for the 45-year-old former world number one, who had not played since March 2024 due to a medical procedure for fibroids. "It was inspiring to be out here," Williams remarked after the match, reflecting on her love for tennis and competitive spirit, according to Reuters and BBC.

During her post-match interview, Williams humorously suggested that partnering with Baptiste was a better idea than her traditional partnership with her sister, Serena Williams. "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," she quipped, eliciting laughter from the audience. This marks Williams's first doubles match in three years, signaling a potential revitalization in her career, according to Los Angeles Times and Reuters.

Looking ahead, Venus Williams is scheduled to compete in the singles tournament against American Peyton Stearns after her impressive doubles performance. Williams expressed gratitude for being able to participate and highlighted the importance of health in her return to the sport. "Where I am at this year is so much different than where I was at last year," she stated. This comeback not only symbolizes her resilience but also her enduring commitment to tennis, according to BBC and Los Angeles Times.