Williams Sisters Reunite for U.S. Open Doubles Bid
Serena Williams, 44, will return to the U.S. Open main draw for doubles alongside her sister Venus, who also received a singles wild card. Serena has not played singles at the event since 2022, but she competed at Wimbledon in July and in Cincinnati with Venus earlier this month. The pair previously won the U.S. Open doubles title in 1999 and 2009.
Serena Williams’ return to Flushing Meadows marks her first U.S. Open appearance since her 2022 farewell, though this time she enters only the doubles draw with Venus. The sisters’ partnership has been sporadic this season: a planned Wimbledon doubles run was scrapped after Serena’s knee injury, but they regrouped in Cincinnati, pushing Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns to a final tiebreak. Venus, meanwhile, secured a singles wild card, keeping her active in the main draw. Their prior U.S. Open doubles titles came in 1999 and 2009, and Serena’s six singles crowns there remain a tournament record.
The pair’s late-career reunion adds a nostalgic layer to an event already buzzing from Serena’s mixed-doubles stint with Carlos Alcaraz earlier this month. With Serena’s competitive singles days likely behind her, this doubles run offers a final, shared chapter for the sport’s most decorated sibling duo.
This doubles entry could reignite casual fan interest in the U.S. Open’s early rounds, drawing viewers who tuned out after Serena’s singles retirement. It may also spotlight the growing trend of veteran players returning in doubles formats, extending careers while preserving marquee value. For Venus, the singles wild card could inspire older athletes, though her competitive ceiling remains uncertain. The sisters’ presence might shift media coverage and ticket demand, but their impact on the tournament’s competitive balance is likely minimal.