Tennis legend Venus Williams made history at the US Open doubles tournament. The 45-year-old star won her first doubles match in New York in over 10 years. She teamed up with 22-year-old Leylah Fernandez for this special victory.
Williams and Fernandez beat the sixth-seeded team of Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez. The final score was 7-6 (4), 6-3. This win marked Venus’s return to doubles success at the US Open since 2014.
Venus Williams Praises New Partner Leylah Fernandez
Venus had nothing but praise for her young Canadian partner. She called Fernandez “the best partner I ever played with — outside of Serena.” This is high praise from someone who won 14 major championships with her sister.
“Our energy really matched each other in terms of determination, in terms of not giving up,” Venus said after the match. She added that their focus stayed strong throughout every single point. The chemistry between the veteran and the rising star was clear on the court.
“That felt amazing because I never really played with a partner — outside of Serena, obviously — who had that kind of mentality, so it was really fun,” Williams explained. The partnership brought out the best in both players during their first-round victory.
US Open Doubles Victory Ends Long New York Drought
This victory ended a significant drought for Venus in New York. Her last doubles win at the US Open came in 2014. Back then, she played alongside sister Serena and reached the quarterfinals.
The win was even more special considering Venus’s recent return to professional tennis. She had been away from the tour for over a year before coming back in July. Her comeback has been nothing short of remarkable.
Venus admitted that doubles play still feels uncomfortable for her. “It’s an area that I’m not that comfortable in, being on a doubles court,” she said. Despite this, her experience and skill helped her adapt quickly to the format.
Williams Admits Doubles Challenge Despite Serena Success
Even with 14 major doubles titles, Venus revealed her true comfort zone. She considers herself a singles player at heart. When she steps onto the doubles court, she tells herself to “just play singles.”
“When push comes to shove, I’ll do what I have to, but I’m a singles player,” Venus explained. This honest admission shows how she approaches doubles matches differently. Her strategy involves trying not to be something she’s not.
The mental approach seems to work well for the tennis veteran. She stops thinking about the format once the match gets intense. This natural adaptation has served her well throughout her career.
Tennis Comeback Story After Year-Long Break
Venus’s return to tennis has been inspiring for fans worldwide. She came back to professional tennis in July after more than a year away. Her last match before the comeback was in March 2024 at the Miami Open.
During her return at the DC Open, Venus made more history. She became the oldest player to win a singles match on the WTA Tour since 2004. Martina Navratilova was the last player to achieve this feat at Wimbledon.
Her singles success in July marked her first victory since 2023. That previous win came against Veronika Kudermetova at the Cincinnati Open. The gap between victories shows how challenging her comeback journey has been.
Next Round Challenge Against Eikeri and Hozumi
Venus and Fernandez now face their second-round opponents with confidence. They will play against Ulrikke Eikeri from Norway and Eri Hozumi from Japan. The match represents another opportunity to build on their partnership.
Williams expressed optimism about their chances going forward. “I actually feel great,” she said after their first-round victory. She hopes they can win another round and continue improving together.
The veteran player seems energized by her new partnership with Fernandez. Their age difference of 23 years hasn’t affected their on-court chemistry. Instead, it has created a perfect blend of experience and youthful energy.
