In an extraordinary week for tennis, two of the sport’s most iconic veterans reminded the world that age is just a number.
Venus Williams, 45, and Stan Wawrinka, 40, both secured first-round victories at ATP and WTA Tour events, becoming the first male and female players over the age of 40 to win main-draw matches in the same week since tennis legends Ken Rosewall and Renee Richards did so back in October 1979.
Williams, competing in her first WTA match since the 2024 Miami Open, rolled back the years with a commanding 6-3, 6-4 win over world number 35 Peyton Stearns at the DC Open on Tuesday.
The victory not only silenced critics but also made her the oldest player to win a WTA match since Martina Navrátilová triumphed in 2004 at the age of 47.
Williams’ serve proved to be a decisive weapon. Despite landing just 54% of her first serves, she won a commanding 71% of those points, firing 9 aces and keeping Stearns on the back foot. Her 15.8% ace rate stood in stark contrast to Stearns’ 4.3%, reflecting the gap in serve dominance. The veteran also outpaced her opponent in serve rating, 225 to 174, and held 60% of her service games compared to Stearns’ 33%.
However, it was on return where Williams made the biggest impact. She won 56% of all return points, breaking Stearns six times from 14 opportunities. While Stearns did well to save eight break points, Williams was relentless, converting six and winning 67% of her return games. Her second-serve return was especially punishing; she won a staggering 70% of those points.
Stearns had moments of resistance, winning four break points of her own and even stringing together a match-best 10 points in a row at one stage. However, her struggles on second serve (30% won) and a total game win rate of just 37% left her playing catch-up throughout. Despite saving five match points and winning 60% of pressure points, the younger American couldn’t capitalise in key moments.
Williams, on the other hand, won more total points (70 to 57), more return games (6 to 4), and strung together four consecutive games at her best stretch. While neither player was immune to inconsistency, with both hitting four double faults, Williams’ ability to dictate play from the baseline and dominate the return proved to be the difference.
Meanwhile, over 4,700 miles away at the Croatia Open Umag, 2015 French Open champion Stan Wawrinka proved he, too, still has plenty left in the tank. The Swiss star dispatched Ecuador’s Alvaro Guillen Meza 6-4, 6-1, extending his remarkable longevity on tour.
With that win, Wawrinka matched an ATP Tour milestone previously achieved by another tennis great: Jimmy Connors.
According to OptaAce, it’s the first time in 45 years that two players aged over 40 have won ATP and WTA main-draw matches in the same week.
In 1979, Renée Richards beat Sylvia Hanika in Phoenix, while Ken Rosewall recorded multiple wins before falling to Phil Dent in the same tournament.
1979 - Two players aged 40+ (Stan Wawrinka and Venus Wiliams) have won ATP and WTA-level matches in the same week for the first time since Ken Rosewall (Brisbane) and Renee Richards (Phoenix) in October 1979. Vintage.@atptour @ATPMediaInfo @WTA @WTA_insider
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) July 23, 2025
The last few years have seen both players deal with injuries and setbacks. Yet their persistence, love for the sport, and sheer willpower continue to deliver magical moments. While younger stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner dominate headlines, this week belonged to the legends.
As the summer hardcourt season heats up, the tennis world finds itself captivated by two stories of longevity, grit, and heart.
In the meantime, while the records may be historic, for Williams and Wawrinka, it’s not about rewriting the past; it is about proving they still belong in the present.
Sean Killen is a contributing journalist for both DartsNews.com and Tennisuptodate.com, where he balances his university studies with writing news updates, player features, and match reports across both sports.
Before joining the sites, Sean built experience across student and professional media. He serves as TV News Director for Cardiff University TV (CUTV), has reported for Gair Rhydd and The Cardiff Times, and produced viral news coverage that gained international attention. His reporting spans sports, breaking news, and human-interest features, and he’s worked across platforms including print, online, radio, and video.
Sean has followed the ATP and WTA tennis tours closely for years, with a growing interest in darts through the Premier League and World Championship circuits. He brings a sharp eye for storytelling, a commitment to accuracy, and a passion for making niche sports accessible to wider audiences.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.mandoist05-11-2026
- Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.mandoist05-11-2026
- Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.mandoist31-10-2026
- Osaka's mental state apparently does not allow her to reach any more Quarter Finals? I mean, she doesn't really have the time for tennis with all the pre-planning that must go into her 12 year-old "fashion" goals.mandoist29-10-2026
- With her money one would think she could afford a better team of Psychiatrists?mandoist29-10-2026
