The tennis world witnessed a historic moment today as Rohan Bopanna announced his retirement from the sport at the age of 45. The Indian veteran, who made history earlier last year year by becoming the oldest men’s Grand Slam champion with his 2024 Australian Open triumph,

And Williams did just that, becoming the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match in professional tennis, delivering some of her familiar big serves and groundstrokes at age 45 while beating Peyton Stearns — 22 years her junior — by a 6-3, 6-4 score at the DC Open.

0009 awaits a volley during the first round match between Venus Williams (USA) and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (ESP) in the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. Bouzas Maneiro won in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.

Venus Williams wanted to send a message — to herself and to others — about coming back from a long layoff, about competing in a sport at age 45, about never giving up. Yes, there was something special about just being back on a tennis court Tuesday night.