Venus Williams has claimed that her return to tennis, after 16 months away from the sport, was because she needed the health insurance.

“I had to come back for the insurance,” she said in an on-court interview following her Mubadala Citi D.C. Open victory against Peyton Stearns in Washington on Tuesday.

“They informed me this year that I’m on COBRA, so it’s like, I got to get my benefits on,” she said, giggling to interviewer Rennae Stubbs, which prompted a chorus of laughter from those watching in the stands.

Williams’ victory made her the oldest woman to win a WTA singles match since 2004, when Martina Navratilova, aged 47, triumphed at Wimbledon.

Why It Matters

Williams confession sheds light on the brutal reality of healthcare costs in America at present. If a professional athlete and a celebrity, with a multi-million net worth, says she needs to continue playing her sport to secure access to health coverage—even if it may have been somewhat tongue in cheek—it begs the question of how those without such hefty assets can possibly afford to pay their medical bills.

In a KFF study this year, six in ten Americans were found to be somewhat worried about affording health care services or paying unexpected medical bills for themselves and their families.

This was a significantly larger proportion than those who were concerned about affording housing costs, transportation expenses, utilities and food for their families.

What To Know

“I’m always at the doctor, so I need this insurance,” Williams said after her victory.

In 2023, during a Wimbledon match, Williams badly injured her knee, and she previously shared how challenging her recovery was.

She battled through the pain to play in that year’s U.S. Open, but was eliminated early, and then took some time out to recover. She also reportedly had to undergo surgery last year to treat uterine fibroids.

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) enables Americans to continue receiving health benefits, provided by their group health plan, for limited periods of time under certain circumstances.

These circumstances might include voluntary or involuntary job loss, a reduction in hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce and other life events.

In some cases, individuals may receive benefits for 36 months, but if their working hours were reduced, or job terminated, they can only receive COBRA benefits for 18 months.

At the age of 45, Williams would not be able to qualify for Medicare—the federal health program available to those over the age of 65.

Given her $95 million net worth, generated via significant income from tournaments and sponsorships, despite her not having a fixed monthly income, she would also not qualify for Medicaid—the federal health program for Americans with limited income and resources.

Williams entered the Citi Open on a wild card, after not playing on the WTA Tour since March 2024. Nevertheless she still beat her opponent, Stearns—22 years her junior—6-3, 6-4.

What People Are Saying

Williams said after her victory: “I think I just attacked the whole time. It’s just trying to find the right balance between going too hard and not enough. It’s the same because this is what I do, but at the same time, it was imperative for me to do it. Now I don’t have to do this, but I have the same fire and the same want to win. In some ways, I’m still getting back into that. When you do it every day, everything is natural. Not as natural feeling now, but I hope I can get back to that.”

She added: “I think it was a big win for me today. Like I said, it’s not easy. It won’t be easy. It’s not easy for anyone out here. So I know I’ll have to fight for every match, but I’m up for that.”

What Happens Next

Williams had already secured a victory on Monday during a doubles match with her partner Hailey Baptiste. She is set to play Magdalena Frech, the Polish fifth seed, in the singles on Thursday.