by The seven-time Grand Slam single champion Venus Williams returned to a competitive tennis after a 16-month break on Monday with a double victory at the WTA and ATP DC Open.
The 45-year-old American switched to compatriot Hailey Baptiste to defeat Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard and US youthful Clervie Ngounoue 6: 3, 6-1 in a game in the first round.
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“After the Match Hailey asked: ‘How did it feel?’ It is probably even more difficult to play the double first because I’m not a double player, ”said Williams.
“So it’s great that she somehow kept up the team. She had the experience. She first served because she played all year round and played well. I think that helped me a lot.
“I also think just to get the feeling for the ball. Obviously, singles have a little more experience, although I achieved some great results.
“It’s just nice to be able to play. Where I am this year is so much different where I was last year. It is day and day to be here and prepare for the tournament instead of preparing for the operation a year ago.”
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Williams returns on Tuesday in the main night game against American Peyton Stearns.
A lot of around 3,000 spectators watched the double game, including NBA star Kevin Durant, who comes from Washington.
“We were both so focused and after the match I was like: ‘Did you enter Kevin Durant?’ She was like ‘yes’, “said Williams.
Fans who sang “KD” made it difficult to concentrate Baptiste, but she was happy to have a famous fan on the stands.
“It is sick that he came out to support us,” she said. “It’s really cool.”
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“I was like: ‘I want to show KD what I can do. Beat the ball for me,” said Williams. “You met every ball. I was like, okay, whatever. However, we win okay.”
For Williams, who fought against health problems during most of her dismissal, it was a victory to only be on the pitch again.
“I just want to be healthy. You can play all games in the world. Can you do all things in the world, but if your health has disappeared or if your possibilities are taken away, it is just a completely new perspective,” said Williams.
“At that time I didn’t even think about tennis. I just wanted to have a successful operation that I lived through.
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“Tennis is a game, it is our life, literally our obsession, it is actually a cult, I think. But at the end of the day it is not really important whether your health is not there.
“In any case, put it in the right perspective for me and may have made it easier to make the decision, maybe return here and maybe play even more freely.”
– ‘She is such a legend’ –
Williams said she enjoys sharing her feelings after a triumph with spectators.
“It’s so much work,” she said. “I trained for months to get at that moment, and then train to be ready at that moment to win at that moment, but it’s not a guarantee. You only win until this last point is over.
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“It is important to share these feelings with the crowd.”
Bouchard will retire next week in Canada and was happy about a last meeting with Williams.
“Playing against them one last time is fun and special,” said Bouchard. “I was like a big praise to go on. She is 14 years older than me and is still gone. I have nothing but respect for her. She is such a legend.”
Js/des
