WASHINGTON — When Venus Williams’ bid for her first winning streak since 2019 ended with one last forehand that landed long, the spectators at the D.C. Open’s main stadium gave her a standing ovation. She responded with a smile and the sort of pirouette and wave she usually reserves for celebrating wins.

WASHINGTON — Venus Williams took the Mubadala Citi DC Open by storm.

The only older woman to win a tour-level singles match was Martina Navratilova, whose last triumph came at 47 in 2004.

Venus Williams is officially off the market. The 45-year-old tennis legend confirmed her engagement to Italian actor Andrea Preti ( Temptation and My Beloved Enemy) during a post-match interview Tuesday night (July 22) after securing a historic victory at the DC Open.

Venus Williams’ winning return to the professional tennis tour also came with a surprise announcement: She is engaged.

There are plenty of reasons why this particular victory by Venus Williams in this particular tennis match resonates with so many folks. That she’s 45, for one thing.

The comments by the tennis great draw attention to the broader crisis of health care affordability and medical debt.