When Venus Williams walked onto the court at the 2025 Citi Open, the tennis world was watching with a mix of nostalgia and disbelief. After more than a year away from competitive p

Playing against No. 2 seeds Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai, the American duo made it a tight contest but ultimately fell just short 4-6 6-3 6-10 to the second-seeded pair. In the first set, Williams and Baptiste recovered from an early break down - but lost their serve again - and that turned out to be costly in the opener.

Thanks to advancements in medical science, most tennis players have been able to extend the duration of their careers.

Venus Williams just made WTA history again. At 45, she became the oldest player in over 20 years to win a singles match on tour

Here's where the seven-time Grand Slam champion ranks among the oldest players to win a WTA-level singles match.

Venus Williams, one of the most decorated athletes in tennis history, is no stranger to pushing through pain. With four Olympic gold medals, seven Grand Slam titles, and over $42 million in prize money,