SportsLine tennis expert Blake Von Hagen reveals his 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open picks for Tuesday's women's first-round match between Peyton Stearns and Venus Williams

American tennis player Peyton Stearns is one of the rising stars on tour. Here's what to know about her family, coach, career and more.

Venus Williams beats Peyton Stearns in comeback match, reigniting debate over WTA's role in crafting generational storylines at the DC Open.

Venus Williams just came back from a 16-month break from professional tennis. But she didn’t return because she missed playing — rather, she missed her health insurance. “I had to come back for the insurance,” Williams, 45, said this week after beating Peyton Stearns — 22 years her junior — at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C.

Venus Williams won her first match on the WTA Tour in 709 days on Tuesday night, and the tennis legend joked that she came back for one reason.

Peyton Stearns hits a forehand to Hsieh Su-wei during their match at the Western Southern Open tennis tournament on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021 in Mason, Ohio.

Tennis Legend, 45, Reveals the Real Reason She Returned to Competition: 'I'm Always at the Doctor' first appeared on Parade on Jul 24, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.

Eight of the nine announced players are ranked in the top 50 of the current Women's Tennis Association rankings.