For years the Mubadala Citi DC Open has prided itself on promoting doubles, celebrating homegrown players and providing a stage for some of the game’s greatest legends.

On a sun-splashed Monday afternoon with another sold-out crowd in Rock Creek Park, all three converged.

Before a packed crowd on John Harris Court – which even included NBA star Kevin Durant - Venus Williams made a triumphant return to competition, partnering with DC’s Hailey Baptiste and earning a 6-3, 6-1 win over Genie Bouchard and DC’s Clervie Ngounoue.

“I have been training for months to get to this moment,” Williams said after her first match in 16 months and her first doubles match since the 2022 US Open.

“Where I'm at this year is so much different where I was at last year,” Williams said. “It’s night and day, being able to be here and prepare for the tournament as opposed to preparing for [fibroids] surgery a year ago.”

Given her time awy from competition and the health issues she’s overcome, Williams is embracing the opportunity this week in DC. Those who joined her on court Monday also appreciated the palpable buzz that surrounded the match.

“For me, it's a dream come true,” said Baptiste, who first met Williams as an eight-year-old at a Washington Kastles kids clinic. “To be able to share the court with her, even if I was playing against her, would have been amazing. But to actually team up with her and get a win, I mean, no words.”

Among those taking in the festivities on John Harris Court was NBA legend and Prince George's County native Kevin Durant. Durant is seemingly becoming an annual fixture at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, having taken in several primetime matches over the years on Stadium Court.

On this Monday afternoon, Durant roamed the grounds and enjoyed a front-row seat for Venus' return. Both Williams and Baptiste appreciated his presence. 

"We were both so focused," Williams explained, "and after the match, I was, like, 'Did you see Kevin Durant walk in?!'"

"I heard the crowd started screaming, KD, KD," Baptiste said. "I was, like, 'I'm not even going to look over right now. Let me just focus on this next return.' It's sick that he came out to support us and it's really cool." 

Baptiste and Williams now pivot to singles on Tuesday as both are part of marquee matchups on Stadium Court.

Baptiste, who recently cracked the Top 50 for the first time in her career, will face No. 6 seed and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in Tuesday’s second match on Stadium (not before 1:00 p.m.). Kenin won their only prior meeting at Roland Garros in 2021.

Williams meets Peyton Stearns in the backend of a primetime doubleheader on Stadium that begins with an All-American men’s showdown between Ben Shelton and 2021 DC finalist Mackie McDonald.