WASHINGTON— Venus Williams’ first match back on the WTA Tour after a 16-month hiatus was something between a sporting event and a tent revival. With every seat filled around the court where the 45-year-old Williams was playing doubles, I camped out underneath a canopy on the top row of the stadium next door. On a scorching Monday afternoon at the DC Open, I wasn’t alone in trying to get a bird’s-eye view of the tennis legend in our midst. Unlike NBA star and D.C. native Kevin Durant , not everyone was fortunate enough to nab front-row seats. The father of local favorite Frances Tiafoe was at the top of the stands one court over with me, and we were both ignoring the singles match being played behind us. (Sorry, Reilly Opelka and Murphy Cassone!)

Williams’ return as an active player beg

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