Venus Williams said that his return to tennis, after 16 months far from sport, was because she needed health insurance.
“I had to come back for insurance,” she said in an interview on the field after her victory for Mubadala Citi DC against Peyton Stearns in Washington on Tuesday.
“They informed me this year that I am on Cobra, so it’s like, I was able to get my advantages,” she said, laughing at the interviewer Rennae Stubbs, which caused a laughing choir of those who look in the stands.
Williams’ victory made her the oldest woman to win a single WTA match since 2004, when Martina Navratilova, 47, triumphed in Wimbledon.
Why it matters
Williams Confession currently highlights the brutal reality of health care costs in America at the moment. If a professional athlete and a celebrity, with a net value of several million, says that she must continue to practice her sport to obtain access to health coverage – even if it could be somewhat ironic in cheeks – this raises the question of how those who without these heavy active people can possibly afford to pay for their medical bills.
In a KFF study this year, six out of ten Americans turned out to be somewhat worried about providing health services or paying unexpected medical bills for themselves and their families.
This was a much greater proportion than those concerned with providing housing costs, transport costs, public services and food for their families.
Venus Williams celebrates his victory over Peyton Stearns at the Tennis Tournament Citi Open in Washington, DC, on July 22, 2025.
Nick Wass / AP
What to know
“I am still with the doctor, so I need this insurance,” said Williams after his victory.
In 2023, during a Wimbledon match, Williams injured his knee, and she already shared how difficult her recovery was.
She fought against pain to play in US Open this year, but was eliminated early, then took time to recover. She should also have undergone surgery last year to treat uterine fibroids.
The Consolided Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) allows Americans to continue to receive health services, provided by their group health plan, during limited periods in certain circumstances.
These circumstances may include a voluntary or involuntary job loss, a reduction in the hours worked, the transition between jobs, death, divorce and other life events.
In some cases, individuals can receive services for 36 months, but if their working hours were reduced or the termination of employment, they can only receive cobra services 18 months.
Venus Williams after having become the oldest winner of the WTA match since 2004:
“I had to come back for insurance, because they informed me this year that I am on Cobra. So it’s like, I was able to get my advantages »😭😭😭😭 😭😭😭😭
– The tennis letter (@thetennisletter) July 23, 2025
At the age of 45, Williams would not be able to qualify for Medicare – the federal health program available for those over 65.
Given its net value of $ 95 million, generated via a large income from tournaments and sponsorships, although it has no fixed monthly income, it would not be eligible for Medicaid – the federal health program for Americans with income and limited resources.
Williams entered the opening of Citi on a Joker, after not having played on the WTA tour since March 2024. Nevertheless she Always beaten his opponent, Stearns – 22 years His junior-6-3, 6-4.
What people say
Williams said after his victory: “I think I just attacked all the time. It’s just to try to find the right balance between going too hard and not enough. It’s the same thing because that’s what I do, but at the same time, it was imperative for me to do it. Now, I don’t have to do that, but I have the same fire and I wanted to win.
She added: “I think it was a big victory for me today. As I said, it is not easy. It will not be easy. It is not easy for anyone here. So I know that I should fight for each match, but I’m ready for that.”
What happens next
Williams had already won a victory on Monday in a double match with his partner Hailey Baptiste. She should play Magdalena Frech, the fifth Polish seeded, in simple Thursday.