We have to start from the end and work our way back—because what Venus Williams did on Center Court last night was nothing short of inspirational.
There are very few times in sports where you can say you witnessed history. That’s exactly what happened when Venus, at 45 years old, won her first-round match against world No. 35 Peyton Stearns. But let’s not make this all about her age—that’s just one small part of it.
Venus is a champion. And she doesn’t strike me as someone who would come back just for a ceremonial hit-and-giggle farewell tour. That’s what many critics of her wild card miss. Wild cards aren’t merit-based. They’re entertainment-based. They exist to bring people in, to spotlight stories, to celebrate beloved players. Venus absolutely delivered—and so did the crowd. The energy was incredible.
Sure, people always ask, “Couldn’t that wild card have gone to a younger player?” And yes, Clervie Ngounoue did get one. She’s local, exciting, and her presence drew fans too. But the idea that wild cards are strictly about rankings or future potential misses the point. Tennis is also about the moment, and the crowd got one they’ll never forget.
This is why we always advocate for attending smaller tournaments. If Venus had done this at the US Open, good luck affording a ticket. I was there for Serena’s retirement run in 2022—on a grounds pass. I couldn’t get into Ashe, but I didget to see Serena up close during a Fan Week practice (truly the best deal in sports). At a tournament like the Citi Open, though, fans got to see something just as meaningful, and they got to do it in a venue that’s intimate, accessible, and electric.
Around the Grounds
Tuesday was a packed match day, and I actually got to watch a lot of tennis, which is a real treat when covering an event. A theme emerged again: while Center Court stayed relatively empty until the night session, the outside courts were full of life.
This year, the tournament introduced a special ticket: $57 for outer court access only. And honestly? That’s all you need. The matches out there have been excellent, and the access is unbeatable.
From the Media Room
I had the chance to speak with a few players today, including:
• Jaume Munar, who’s flying under the radar a bit but having a great season. While Carlos Alcaraz grabs the Spanish player spotlight, Munar’s match against him at Queen’s was a gem—and he shared his perspective on that today. 🎧 Audio below.
• Taylor Townsend, currently world No. 2 in doubles and a two-time Grand Slam champion… still without a clothing sponsor. She’s taking matters into her own hands and spoke candidly about it. 🎧 Audio below.
• Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu, who both won their first-round matches and will now face each other in Round 2. I asked them what they think of the matchup. Naomi’s audio is below—but its not great so added a screen shot of the transcript; and Emma’s response is also included.
Naomi’s Response:
Emma’s response:
Another standout day at the Citi DC Open—this one with a bit of historical weight.
See you tomorrow for Day 5.
Share this post