July 22 (Reuters) - Venus Williams enjoyed a winning return to tennis after more than a year away from the game as the 45-year-old American teamed up with compatriot Hailey Baptiste to win their round of 16 women's doubles tie at the Washington Open on Monday.

Venus Williams has competed at a tournament for the first time in more than a year — and in doubles for the first time in nearly three — and has come out with a victory.

The younger Williams last played at the 2022 U.S. Open, which was her swan song as she revealed she was "evolving" from tennis—essentially retiring. However, Williams recently posted a video of herself hitting tennis balls on a court to social media, causing fans to wonder whether she was teasing a return to the sport in some way.