SportsLine tennis expert Blake Von Hagen reveals his 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open picks for Thursday's women's second-round match between Magdalena Frech and Venus Williams

Venus Williams’ recent singles win at the D.C. Open showcased her longevity and brought attention to health coverage for aging athletes following a joking comment she made in an on-court interview.

WASHINGTON, DC—Venus Williams’ first tournament in 16 months ended on Thursday, the former world No. 1 exiting, 6-2, 6-2 to Magdalena Freçh in the second round of the Mubadala Citi DC Open.

Williams, who beat Peyton Stearns earlier in the week to become the oldest winner of a WTA Tour-level match in over 20 years, could not replicate that magic against Frech on Thursday

WASHINGTON — After Venus Williams' four-matches-in-four-days return to professional tennis was over, after she was loudly feted by appreciative fans even after a loss in singles, the D.C. Open stadium announcer offered a thought: "We're never going to say goodbye to Venus Williams, are we?" he said.

Venus Williams insists she will come back stronger after her straight-sets defeat to Magdalena Frech

Despite having to cut her historic return to WTA tournaments short, Venus Williams remained positive about her run.

Venus Williams admitted she simply didn't have enough in the tank to compete against Magdalena Frech but also noted that she was "grateful" with how her comeback week in Washington went. On Thursday night in Washington, 27-year-old Frech needed just an hour and 13 minutes to beat the 45-year-old American 6-2 6-2.