Venus Williams Accepts US Open Doubles Wildcard With Leylah Fernandez

Venus Williams, at age 45, has made a notable return to professional tennis at the 2025 US Open, competing in singles, mixed doubles, and women’s doubles for the first time since 1998. Despite a first-round singles loss to Karolina Muchova, Williams received a standing ovation for her spirited play and expressed relief at competing pain-free following surgery for uterine fibroids and ongoing health issues including Sjogren's syndrome. She has accepted a wild-card entry into the women’s doubles, partnering with 2021 US Open singles finalist Leylah Fernandez, aiming to rekindle the success reminiscent of her historic doubles partnership with her sister Serena Williams, with whom she won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles. Williams and Fernandez will face the sixth-seeded duo of Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez in the opening round. The crowd and tennis community have warmly welcomed Williams, applauding her perseverance and legacy as a former No. 1 doubles player and seven-time Grand Slam singles champion. Her participation highlights a remarkable comeback and adds excitement to this year's tournament.