Venus Williams (USA) serves behind partner Hailey Baptiste (USA) (not pictured) against Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) and Clervie Ngounoue (USA) (both not pictured) in a women's doubles match on day one ...

She and her partner Hailey Baptiste came out on top in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-1 against the pair of Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue.

Venus Williams enjoyed a winning return to competitive tennis after 16 months away as she reached the quarterfinals of the women’s doubles at the DC Open alongside Hailey Baptiste.

Washington Tennis Venus Williams, right, hugs her doubles partner Hailey Baptiste, left, after they defeated Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue in a doubles match at the Citi Open tennis ...

Venus Williams reaches for the ball during a doubles match with Hailey Baptiste against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue at the Citi Open tennis tournament Monday, July 21, 2025, in Washington.

Venus Williams, right, hugs her doubles partner Hailey Baptiste, left, after they defeated Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue in a doubles match at the Citi Open tennis tournament Monday, July ...

Venus Williams, left, talks with Hailey Baptiste, right, during a doubles match against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue at the Citi Open tennis tournament Monday, July 21, 2025, in Washington.

Williams and Baptiste beat Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6-3 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals in Washington, and the former world number one said if felt "inspiring" to be back on court.

By Matias Grez, CNN (CNN) — Venus Williams enjoyed a winning return to competitive tennis after 16 months away as she reached the quarterfinals of the women’s doubles at the DC Open alongside ...

NBA All-Star Kevin Durant cheered on Venus Williams and Hailey Baptiste during their doubles match at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open.