Venus Williams Returns to U.S. Open Doubles with Leylah Fernandez

New York, Aug 27 (AP) - Tennis legend Venus Williams, at 45, is set to make her mark in the women’s doubles at the U.S. Open alongside 2021 singles runner-up Leylah Fernandez, having been granted a wild-card entry.

Returning to the Grand Slam stage for the first time in two years, Williams embarked on her professional comeback in July following a 16-month hiatus from the tour. She participated in mixed doubles last week and singles on Monday, both courtesy of wild-card invitations from the U.S. Tennis Association. Despite first-round exits in each event, Williams expressed elation at resuming her court presence after overcoming injuries and illness, including surgery for uterine fibroids last year. Post her challenging three-set singles match against 11th-seeded Karolina Muchova, she shared her relief at finally playing pain-free.

Williams contemplated a reporter's inquiry: “Oh, what did I prove to myself?” Reflecting, she said, “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.” Spectators cherished her presence as she became the oldest singles competitor at the U.S. Open since 1981, capturing her every move with camera phones and offering a standing ovation in Arthur Ashe Stadium, alongside cheers of encouragement.

Adding to her impressive resume of seven Grand Slam singles crowns, Williams boasts 14 major women's doubles titles, all achieved with her sister, Serena. Two of these victories took place in New York, in 1999 and 2009. Her last doubles appearance with Serena at the U.S. Open occurred in 2022, marking Serena’s final singles match there.

This year, Williams partners with 22-year-old Canadian Leylah Fernandez to challenge the sixth-seeded team of Lyudmyla Kichenok from Ukraine and Ellen Perez from Australia in the initial round. Fernandez previously reached the U.S. Open singles final four years ago, succumbing to Emma Raducanu.

Williams’ competitive return began at the Miami Open in March 2024, but until her wildcard entry into Washington’s hard-court tournament last month, she hadn't played an official match. In Washington, she partook in both singles and doubles competitions, securing a win in each category.

This marks Williams’ first major appearance since competing at Flushing Meadows in 2023. (AP) TAP

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