Venus Williams is set to join forces with Leylah Fernandez, the 2021 singles runner-up, in women’s doubles at the US Open, thanks to a wildcard entry. The duo will face off against the sixth-seeded team of Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez in their opening match.
At 45 years old, Williams makes her long-awaited return to Grand Slam courts after a two-year hiatus, during which she spent 16 months away from competitive tennis. This comeback comes on the heels of her participation in a high-profile mixed doubles event last week and a singles match on Monday, both facilitated by wildcard permits from the United States Tennis Association.
Marking a historic moment, Williams became the oldest competitor in women’s singles at the US Open since Renee Richards in 1981, and she ranks as the third oldest player in the Open Era. Facing a difficult challenge against last year’s semi-finalist, 11th seed Karolina Muchova, Williams put up a fierce fight but ultimately lost in a hard-fought match, with scores of 6-3, 2-6, 6-1.
Despite her exit, Williams expressed joy at her return to the court following a series of injuries and health challenges, which included surgery for uterine fibroids last year. In reflecting on her performance, Williams emphasized the importance of returning to a healthier state on the court. “What did I prove to myself? I think for me getting back on the court was about giving myself a chance to play more healthy. When you play unhealthy, it’s in your mind. It’s not just how you feel. You get stuck in your mind, too. So, it was nice to be freer,” she shared.
In addition to her impressive record of seven Grand Slam singles titles, Williams boasts 14 major women’s doubles championships, all won alongside her sister, Serena. Notably, they celebrated two of these victories in New York in 1999 and 2009. The sisters last teamed up at the US Open in 2022, marking Serena’s final singles appearance at the tournament.
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