Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Eva Geitheim

Naomi Osaka Had Two-Word Message for Venus Williams After Return Win in Citi Open

Venus Williams Naomi Osaka
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 of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Venus Williams was triumphant in her first official singles match since March 2024, making history as the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match at 45 years old as she defeated Peyton Stearns (6-3, 6-4) in the first round of Mubadala DC Citi Open. Only Martina Navratilova has won a tour-level singles match at an older age, doing so at the age of 47 in 2004.

This marked Williams's first singles victory in almost two years, her first since defeating Veronika Kudermetova in Cincinnati in 2023. The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion put on a show in her return to singles competition, defying her age with her movement across the court and overall play throughout her first match back in over a year.

Williams left the tennis world in awe after her performance. Naomi Osaka, who also won Tuesday in the round of 32 at the Citi Open, simply said of Williams in a post after the match, "my queen" with a crown emoji and multiple heart emojis.

Both Osaka and Williams are off to the Round of 16, which will take place on Thursday. Osaka is set to face Emma Raducanu, while Williams will look to defeat Magdalena Fręch.

More on Sports Illustrated


This article was originally published on www.si.com as Naomi Osaka Had Two-Word Message for Venus Williams After Return Win in Citi Open.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Forget green: I just spotted a hidden color inside Dakota Johnson's iconic cabinets – it's a game-changer (and surprisingly simple to replicate)
Everyone knows that the actress's kitchen is Alligator Alley green, but no one is talking about this underratedly stunning shade in her cabinets
Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens
New research finds many infant food products make claims that don’t match the main ingredients
From images of fruit to claims of being “sugar-free”, manufacturers of baby and toddler foods try to convince parents their products are a healthy choice, convenient and good for their child’s development.
The Conversation
The Conversation
Twilight films will return to theaters just in time for Halloween season
The first film will premiere in select theaters October 29
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Hulk Hogan's Widow Plans to Sue Doctors for Malpractice Regarding His Death - Report
Sky Daily Hogan, the widow of the wrestling legend, has alleged that Hogan's death resulted from a botched neck operation earlier this year.
Latin Times
Latin Times
Stop asking these American boys if they want to be James Bond
Why is this a question for American men?
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
Meet Dancing with the Stars’ new pro Jan Ravnik, Taylor Swift’s back-up dancer
Ravnik was a backup dancer on Swift’s Eras Tour
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play