Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams, who returned to tennis after a long break of 16 months, has secured a win at DC Open in women`s doubles category.
During the match, Venus partnered up with Hailey Baptiste to dominate Canada`s Eugenie Bouchard and US teen Clervie Ngounoue by 6-3, 6-1.
Returning to the sport after a long break, the 45-year-old said that it is harder to play a doubles match.
“After the match Hailey asked me, `How did that feel?` It`s probably even harder to play the doubles first because I`m not a doubles player,” she said.
Venus, the older sister of Serena Williams, was also full of praise for her American partner, Baptiste.
“it`s great to have her to kind of hold the team up. She has had the experience. She served first because she has been playing all year and playing well. I think that helped me a lot,” said Venus.
The tennis great said that although she has yielded better results in doubles category, the American possesses more experience in the singles category.
“I think also just to get the feel for the ball. Obviously, singles, I have a little more experience, even though doubles I have had some great results. It`s just nice to be able to play. Where I am at this year is so much different where I was at last year,” added the US athlete.
Their doubles match was being watched by around 3000 spectators, including the NBA star Kevin Durant. Venus said that she and Baptiste were very focused during the match, but when the crowd started chanting “K-D”, it made it tough for the American to focus, but later made her happy to have a famous fan in the stands.
“We were both so focused, and after the match, I was, like, `Did you see Kevin Durant walk in?` She was, like, `Yeah`,” expressed Williams.
After concluding with her doubles match, Venus Williams will now lock horns against Peyton Stearns in the singles match. The clash is scheduled to take place on Wednesday at 5 am.
(With AFP Inputs)
