Tennis legend Venus Williams will make another appearance at the US Open 2025, this time in the women’s doubles alongside Canada’s rising star Leylah Fernandez after being handed a wildcard entry.
Williams, 45, returned to her home Grand Slam for a record-breaking 25th US Open campaign earlier this week. Although her singles run ended in the first round with a hard-fought 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 defeat to 11th seed Karolina Muchova, she isn’t done yet. The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion will now step back on court with 22-year-old Fernandez – a player 23 years her junior.
Their opening match won’t be easy, as they face sixth seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok of Ukraine and Australia’s Ellen Perez. Williams already knows what it takes to succeed in New York, having lifted the US Open doubles title twice – in 1999 and 2009 – both times alongside her sister Serena Williams.
Serena paid a heartfelt tribute to her sister on Instagram earlier this week, writing:
“Strength, courage, determination, class, perseverance, inspiration… there’s not enough words to describe how proud I am of you. P.S. I hope to be like you.”
Williams’ comeback this season has been nothing short of inspirational. Once considered inactive after a year away from competition, she shocked the tennis world by announcing her return ahead of the Washington Open. She marked her comeback in style, defeating world No. 35 Peyton Stearns, before later receiving a wildcard into the US Open singles draw.
Her battle with Sjogren’s syndrome, an incurable autoimmune disease diagnosed in 2011, along with recent struggles with painful fibroids, makes her latest return even more remarkable. Despite the setbacks, Williams continues to inspire by competing with some of the world’s best players on the biggest stage.
As for Fernandez, the Canadian No. 31 seed in women’s singles, she cruised past compatriot Rebecca Marino 6-2, 6-1 in her opener. The 2021 US Open finalist – who lost to Emma Raducanu in that year’s memorable final – is eager to make another deep run in New York.
With youth and experience combining, all eyes will be on the Williams–Fernandez pairing as they look to create magic in Flushing Meadows.
