"Venus Williams' partner in doubles expresses regret after teaming up with tennis legend"
In the bustling atmosphere of the 2025 Citi Open, tennis legend Venus Williams made a triumphant return to competitive play after a 16-month hiatus, partnering with rising star Hailey Baptiste in the doubles tournament.
The partnership between Williams and Baptiste proved to be a significant moment in Venus's ongoing return to the tour, showcasing Baptiste's meteoric rise alongside an iconic figure in women's tennis. The duo reached the second round of the tournament, despite facing the formidable No2 seeds Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai.
For Baptiste, the experience of partnering with Williams was nerve-wracking. "I was certainly nervous to play alongside such a tennis legend," she shared. However, Williams, ever the champion, expressed her personal goal of simply having fun and enjoying the moment during the tournament.
The crowd's reaction to Williams' return was described as "so sweet and so motivating," reflecting strong fan support for her comeback after surgery and time away from the sport. The tournament saw huge crowds, including NBA superstar Kevin Durant, who attended Baptiste and Williams' matches.
Williams, now 45, impressed commentators with her performance, stunting Peyton Stearns in the singles event with a 6-3 6-4 victory. She also won a doubles match with Baptiste, defeating Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue.
The Citi Open also marked a milestone for Williams, as she was awarded a wildcard for the upcoming US Open, 28 years after reaching the final on her debut in 1997. Williams is also set to participate in the newly revamped mixed doubles event, partnering Reilly Opelka next week.
Baptiste, who honed her tennis skills at the Junior Tennis Champions Center at Maryland Park as a kid, like fellow American player Frances Tiafoe, reflected on the surreal experience of playing with Williams. "It was a dream come true to partner with Venus," she said, adding that she didn't even notice NBA superstar Kevin Durant's attendance at their match.
Looking ahead, Baptiste will also be in singles action at the US Open, hoping to win her first singles match. Despite the pressure, she remains focused and determined, ready to make her mark on the tennis world.
The partnership between Venus Williams and Hailey Baptiste, in the 2025 Citi Open, extended to both doubles and singles events, showcasing their mutual passion for tennis, particularly in sports like tennis. During this tournament, Baptiste gained valuable experience playing alongside the tennis legend, Williams.
