Venus Williams made her incredible return to tennis at the age of 45 at the Washington Open, and it was one to remember for the seven-time Grand Slam champion.
Williams impressed as she swept aside Peyton Stearns in straight sets in her first competitive tennis match for 16 months.
The three-time Olympic Gold medallist, who has also teased Serena Williams’ return to tennis, set up a second-round match with Magdalena Fręch at the Washington Open.
The American produced something during her comeback match that she also did in her debut match back in 1994.
Venus Williams won by the same scoreline as her tennis debut at 14
Williams’ win against Stearns saw her win 6-3 6-4 against her compatriot, which is bizarrely the same scoreline she won her debut match with.
Williams made her professional debut at the Bank of the West Classic at just 14 years old in 1994 to kickstart an incredible career.
Williams defeated former NCAA singles champion Shaun Stafford by exactly the same scoreline (6-3 6-3) as she emerged as the next big thing in tennis.
The teenager nearly pulled off an even bigger upset against then-world No. 2, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, in the next round.
However, Williams lost from a set and a break-up to end her first-ever professional tennis tournament appearance.
The hilarious reason Venus Williams returned to tennis
Williams was in jubilant spirits after her 819th tour level victory against Stearns, and even took the time to joke with the Washington crowd.
“I had to come back for the insurance, because they informed me this year that I’m on cobra,” joked Williams in her post-match interview.
“So it’s like, I got to get my benefits on,” laughed Williams as she jokingly explained the real reason she returned to tennis.
Williams’ match with Frech is due to take place on July 24, but the star will be in doubles action before that.
Williams and Hailey Baptiste take on Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai at the Washington Open on July 23.