Venus Williams stepped onto the court at the Mubadala Citi DC Open on July 22 in Washington after a 16-month hiatus from professional tennis, carrying with her the weight of seven Grand Slam singles titles, a pioneering legacy in women’s sports, and an unexpected motivation that resonated with working Americans everywhere.
Doctor Bills
The 45-year-old tennis legend defeated Peyton Stearns in her first match back. She is now the oldest player to win a tour-level singles match since 47-year-old Martina Navratilova beat Catalina Castano at Wimbledon in 2004.
Williams, who has earned $42.6 million throughout her illustrious career and once held the coveted No. 1 ranking in women’s tennis, found herself facing a distinctly modern American dilemma that transcends wealth and status.
Her return to competition wasn’t driven by an insatiable hunger for victory or the roar of crowds she had commanded for decades.
Venus Williams after becoming the oldest WTA match winner since 2004:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 23, 2025
“I had to come back for the insurance, because they informed me this year that I’m on cobra. So it’s like, I got to get my benefits on” 😭😭😭😭
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“I had to come back for the insurance,” Williams seemingly after defeating Peyton Stearns, a player 22 years her junior, in her first-round match.
The crowd laughed as she continued, “They informed me this year that I’m on COBRA, so it’s like, I got to get my benefits on.”
While it may have been said tongue in cheek, the remark does point to an issue that affects countless Americans who find themselves caught between jobs or career transitions. As for, Williams, who went on to lose her second match which was against 27-year-old Magdalena Frech, she actually lost her eligibility for the Women’s Tennis Association’s comprehensive insurance plan during her extended break from competition.
The WTA provides what they describe as a “best-in-class global medical, dental and vision insurance plan” to its players, but eligibility comes with strict requirements. Players must maintain rankings within the top 500 in singles or top 175 in doubles while competing in at least three WTA 250-level tournaments or Grand Slams within the previous year. Coverage extends through the full calendar year for qualifying athletes.
When pro athletes leave the game, so does their coverage. Under COBRA, they can keep insurance — but at full cost. With monthly premiums topping $500, many might find themselves choosing between health care and rent. The struggle can be real, even for the formerly elite.
The tennis champion’s experience with uterine fibroids — which required surgery and longterm care — highlights how medical expenses can quickly add up. Without insurance, even those with financial resources may find treatment costs becoming a significant burden.
“You guys know what it’s like. Let me tell you, I’m always at the doctor’s, so I need this insurance,” she told fans during her return appearance, according to MarketWatch.
Retirement health care in pro sports is a mixed bag, Tennis.com reports.
NBA vets with three years get full coverage, and ten seasons add family benefits. NFL players? Just five years post-retirement, even with three seasons in. MLB allows four-year players to keep their plan by paying premiums. NHL vets with 160 games can buy subsidized coverage. The WNBA is still fighting for theirs in collective bargaining.
Golf? It’s trickier — no unions. The PGA Tour offers group plans with subsidies tied to performance. The LPGA just started fully covering players this year — before that, it was only a $4,000 stipend.
According to NPR, before the Affordable Care Act, Venus Williams would’ve been out of luck. Health insurance companies labeled pro athletes as “Ineligible Occupations,” like miners and cab drivers. That one law changed everything — but with parts of it under threat, staying covered could get harder, even for elite stars like her.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, average annual health insurance premiums reached $8,435 for individuals and $23,968 for families in 2023, representing increases of 22% since 2018 and 47 percent since 2013. Fidelity estimates that 65-year-olds now need $165,000 in after-tax dollars specifically for retirement healthcare expenses.
“Nobody wants to be on COBRA, right?” Williams said. “That remains an issue in my life. Obviously it was a fun and funny moment, but it’s an issue that people are dealing with, so it is serious.”
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