WTA 1000 CINCINNATI
Venus Williams made her professional debut on Halloween night, October 31, 1994 at the Bank of the West Classic in Oakland, just a few feet from a Rolling Stones concert.
While Mick and Keith played next door, 14-year-old Williams beat Shaun Stafford in straight sets. It was the opening chapter of a career now into its fourth decade.
“I still haven’t seen The Rolling Stones,” Williams said with a laugh, thinking back to that first match. “I remember they were playing next door, and they didn’t know that I was playing next door. They still don’t know. So, Mick Jagger, my message to you: I was playing my first professional match next to you.”
“Looking back, I don’t know how I won that match because I didn’t know anything. … But it was a beautiful thing and a great start.”
WTA Note