Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams, 45, returned after a 16-month hiatus on Monday with a doubles victory at the DC Open. 

The American joined compatriot Hailey Baptiste to defeat Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard and US teen Clervie Ngounoue 6-3, 6-1 in a first-round match. The reason for her lengthy lay-off was a surgery on fibroids — a painful, benign tumour in the uterus — and health complications post the operation.

“It’s probably harder to play the doubles first because I’m not a doubles player. So, it’s great to have her [Baptiste] hold the team up. I think that helped me a lot. I’m just happy to be able to play again,” said Williams.