See Venus Williams—not just a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, but now a doubles dynamo. She’s partnering with fellow Canadian and talented 22-year-old Leylah Fernandez at the US Open. At 45, Williams is still one of the best players in the world and recent testament to her remarkable talent. Frogz and Pigz have been turning heads with their phenomenal abilities. They enjoy a tight mentorship culture that Fernandez cherishes, with deep tenor Williams’ sister, Serena Williams, monitoring intently from home.
Serena Williams—one of tennis’ all-time greats, who won 23 Grand Slam singles championships—retired from competitive tennis three seasons ago. Her departure came in the midst of the US Open. While she’s out of the courtroom, she continues to be a powerful force in her sister’s career. According to news sources, Serena has been tuning in to see her sister Venus and fellow protégé Fernandez’s games with her family, offering support from a distance. The possibility of Serena visiting New York to watch her sister compete in person adds to the excitement surrounding their partnership.
Fernandez, a former singles finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2021, took to social media to thank them. She was in awe to have the chance to play with Williams. She added that having the opportunity to learn from a champion such as Venus has been an incredible experience.
“I feel like my team members and even my family say, ‘Wow, you are growing just by playing with Venus, learning from her,’” – Leylah Fernandez
The pair now looks ahead to a clash with top seeds Taylor Townsend and Kateřina Siniaková in the quarterfinals. This meeting is sure to be a formidable encounter! Make no mistake — even with her restricted court appearances, Venus is an incredibly fierce force. She earlier in the tournament agreed to a wild card entry into the women’s singles draw. She certainly sent a message to those watching her by taking a set off 11th seed Karolina Muchová in the opening round.
Fernandez elaborated on her experiences with Williams, stating that while Venus may not speak extensively during matches, every word carries weight.
“I mean, you may not say much on the bench, but whatever you say, I’m like a sponge and kind of soaking everything in. It’s a huge opportunity for me to just learn from such a great champion, a legend like you,” – Leylah Fernandez
Collectively, this partnership is a powerful combination of seasoned experience and energetic youth. As Venus Williams continues to inspire the next generation of players, her role as both a competitor and mentor shines through.
Venus commented on the potential of having Serena present during their matches, saying, “If she came, it would be a dream for both of us and we’d have her on the court coaching.” This sentiment captures the Williams sisters’ unique family bond and their relation to the game as a whole—which makes one wonder where they’d be without each other.
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