Venus Williams makes her return to competitive tennis today at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open, partnering with Hailey Baptiste in a doubles match against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue on John Harris Court.
Williams, who last competed at the Miami Open more than a year ago, is also entered in singles later this week, making Washington the stage for her full comeback on both fronts.
The 45-year-old accepted a wildcard into the event, saying, “There’s something truly special about DC: the energy, the fans, the history. This city has always shown me so much love.”
Today’s Match Details: Williams / Baptiste vs. Bouchard / Ngounoue
This opening-round doubles match brings together four wildcards with contrasting styles — and two homegrown talents.
Williams, 45, brings veteran poise and net play, while Baptiste, a rising 23-year-old Washington native, adds youthful speed and baseline consistency.
Across the net, Bouchard is an experienced doubles player with a powerful first serve, and Ngounoue, just 19, is known for her aggressive return game and raw athleticism.
For Williams, the match is a chance to build rhythm and match fitness ahead of her singles campaign later this week. For the DC-born Baptiste, it’s a rare opportunity to play alongside one of the sport’s legends in front of her home crowd.
How to Watch Venus Williams at the DC Open
Fans can watch Venus Williams’s return live from John Harris Court at the William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC, as part of Monday’s main-draw action.
The match is now expected to begin at around 3:25 PM Eastern, following Daniel Evans’ defeat of Zizou Bergs in three sets.
The match airs live on the Tennis Channel in the U.S. and streams on the Tennis Channel app and website.
A handful of tickets are still available for today’s session, starting at $74, including fees. Note that tickets purchased guarantee you a reserved seat in Stadium Court as well as access to all outer courts, where seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Venus will play this afternoon at John Harris Court. And tonight at Stadium Court, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe will team up in doubles to face Matthew Ebden and John Peers.
Williams / Baptiste vs. Bouchard / Ngounoue
Estimated Start Time: 3:25 PM Eastern (following Evans vs. Bergs)
Court: John Harris Court
Round: Doubles, Round of 16
TV Coverage: Tennis Channel (whip-around coverage)
Streaming: Tennis Channel app and website, featuring a live stream of the TV channel’s whip-around coverage. Dedicated court streaming feeds require a Tennis Channel streaming subscription ($9.99/month; $109.99/year).
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