Seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams has celebrated victory within the final 16 of the ladies’s doubles on the Washington Open after 16 months away from tennis.

The 45-year-old former world primary, who accepted a wildcard for the match, had not competed because the Miami Open in March 2024 – and final gained on the Cincinnati Open in August 2023.

Williams and fellow American Hailey Baptiste beat Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6-3 6-1.

“It was inspiring to be out right here,” Williams informed Sky Sports activities. “I really like this recreation and nonetheless hitting it huge.”

She’s going to face one other American, Peyton Stearns, within the first spherical of the singles competitors on Tuesday.

Williams, who was enjoying doubles for the primary time in three years, joked she wished she may have partnered with 23-year-old Baptiste, the world quantity 50, as an alternative of her sister Serena – the 23-time main champion.

She stated: “I feel from the primary level I may see that we have been going to be a very good workforce. We simply ought to have began enjoying earlier, years in the past, proper? I feel Serena was simply in the way in which.”

Venus, who doesn’t have a rating, gained 14 main titles alongside Serena within the ladies’s doubles, because the Williams sisters dominated the game for a few years.