Venus Williams and Hailey Baptiste were delighted when NBA star Kevin Durant made an unexpected appearance during their first-round match at the Citi Open on July 21. The pair, competing as a wildcard team, advanced with a convincing 6-3, 6-1 win over Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue, and they shared their reactions to Durant’s surprise visit.
The duo featured 23-year-old rising talent Hailey Baptiste alongside Venus Williams, a 14-time Grand Slam doubles champion. The John A. Harris Grandstand was packed with fans eager to watch the match, and Durant was seen attending to show his support.
At their post-match press conference, Williams and Baptiste described how they noticed Durant’s presence in the crowd during their intense match.
Williams: Yeah, I mean we were so focused and after the match I was like, ‘Did you see Kevin Durant just walk in?’ and she’s like ‘yeah.’
Baptiste: I heard the crowd started screaming, KD, KD. I was, like, ‘I’m not even going to look over right now. Let me just focus on this next return’. I mean it’s sick that he came to support us and it was really cool.
Williams: That’s actually I think when you started playing better. I was, like, ‘I want to show KD what I can do. Hit the ball to me’. They hit every ball to you. I was, like, ‘Okay, whatever. However we win is fine’.
Venus Williams’ Progress and Return to Competitive Tennis
This win marked Venus Williams’ first singles match victory since 2023, showcasing her steady return after taking a break from professional tennis. Her ongoing comeback has been closely followed by fans and tennis enthusiasts, highlighting her enduring dedication to the sport.
Reflections on Serena Williams’ Retirement Shared by Venus
During a separate press event at the Citi Open, Venus Williams opened up about processing the news of her sister Serena Williams’ retirement. Serena, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, officially stepped away from competitive tennis in 2022 through an announcement in Vogue, marking the end of a remarkable career.
Venus admitted the news had a profound impact on her, mirroring the emotions felt by fans worldwide.
“I’m her biggest fan. I never wanted her to retire. It took me time to come to terms with it. She could take 6 months off & she clocks it clean. You can’t teach that kind of talent,” she said in the press conference.
Recently, Serena and Venus were seen practicing together, with Serena displaying glimpses of her former prowess on the court, hinting at the continuing strong bond between the sisters.
Significance and What to Expect Next
Kevin Durant’s visit added a remarkable moment to the Citi Open, boosting the morale for both Hailey Baptiste and Venus Williams as they progress in the tournament. Venus’ return to winning form coupled with the emotional reflections on Serena’s retirement provide an intriguing narrative for tennis fans. Observers will be keen to watch how this momentum influences Venus and Baptiste’s further performance in the competition.