“The best doubles partner I’ve ever played outside with Serena.” – Tennis now
Erik Gudris | Friday, August 29, 2025
Image source: Mike Stone/Getty
Venus Williams Due to the last minute call, I found myself extending her stay in New York.
After her and Canada, the greatness of history continues to play at this year’s U.S. Open Leylah Fernandez Accepted a wildcard entry into women’s doubles raffle.
They played for the first time and they enjoyed the first show of victory in the frustrated No. 6 seed Lyudmyla Kichenok Ukraine and Ellen Perez Australia 7-6 (4), 6-3, entered the second round at a crowded Louis Armstrong Stadium.
After the victory, Williams praised her young partner’s doubles skills and praised the 22-year-old Canadian, who was a 2021 U.S. Open finalist.
“(She) is my best companion ever – outside Serena.” Williams revealed in a post-match interview.
After the game, Fernandez joined the crowd for applause as Williams won her iconic victory spin in court and was shocked by the news.
“I was shocked (laughs),” Fernandez later said in a press conference. “It’s probably the biggest compliment I’ve ever had, so thank you, Venus. Oh man. I feel like those big shoes that are going to fill right now. But, no, I’m so happy. I think it’s just another chance for me to get better as a tennis player, just keep improving.”
Williams, 45, won 14 major doubles titles with his sister Serena Williams. Although Williams had no intention of playing women’s doubles at this year’s U.S. Open, she changed her mind after receiving a late-night call from the Fernandez team and asked if she would like to work with the Canadians.
“I was like a kid on Christmas day. I was so happy. I don’t think I would stop smiling all night. Even in the morning. I was so happy and excited,” Fernandez said. “I’m so glad we had the opportunity to play together and go to the next round.”
Despite all the success in doubles, Williams admits she doesn’t think she’s good at doubles.
“I always tell people that I’m not good at doubles. No one believes me. You know, I think traditionally it’s going to make players go over and move, and I don’t have to do all of that, but the push comes, I’ll do what I have to do. I’m a single player, so when I go out, I’m actually out and playing this method, I can try that method, I can try this method, I can try it.
Honestly, this is an area that I’m not very satisfied with in the doubles court, but I think you can stop thinking somewhere during the game and then you’re just zone. ”
Although they both admit that they don’t have real strategies to play, Williams feels his experience and Fernandez’s talent will be perfect for them.
“I’m used to being a big sister, so I kind of like asking her what she wants. It’s important to be comfortable for her,” Williams said. “In theory, I have more experience, but she’s been playing more games, so maybe that makes us in the way of competing, on our necks and necks, right, on our way of competing. But I think we just have to look at what’s going on, right, right, because you never know what’s going on in the game, you have to adjust.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsmir9c4tbg
Williams left the tour for 16 months and returned to play in Washington, D.C. this summer before playing in Cincinnati. Williams Karolina Muchovaand mixed doubles Reilly Opelka At this year’s U.S. Open. This is her first time since Wimbledon in 1998, she has played in three majors.
“I improved very quickly with the number of games I played,” Williams said. “I didn’t have to come back to play tennis, but eventually I found my own path.”
Williams and Fernandez’s next face Ulrikke Elkeri Norway and Eri Hozumi Japan is in the next round.
