This was not a one-stop hello-and-farewell appearance for the 45-year-old Venus Williams, who had been away from the tour for 16 months before showing up in Washington and winning once each in singles and doubles.

Her first match back on the WTA Tour, after a 16-month hiatus, was something between a sporting event and a tent revival.

Venus Williams returned to tennis this week, winning her first tour-level match in two years. She says she returned to the court, in part, to keep her health insurance. “I had to come back for the insurance because they informed me earlier this year that I’m on COBRA!

Venus Williams is celebrating two major milestones — her first singles win in two years and her engagement to partner Andrea Preti.

Venus Williams won her first singles match in more than a year at age 45 and highlighted the phenomenon of older athletes playing at an elite level.

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.

On July 22, following her first singles match in more than a year, Williams revealed that she is engaged to actor and former model Andre Preti. While speaking to WTA following her DC Open singles match, the tennis star, who sported a diamond ring on her left finger, called Preti her fiancé.