Venus Williams has revealed that she came surprisingly close to declining Leylah Fernandez’s last-minute invitation to partner her at the US Open, confessing that she initially wanted to team up with someone closer to her own age. The 45-year-old American admitted she had already mentally signed off her Flushing Meadows campaign after her singles run, believing she had done enough for the week. Williams, who entered the tournament with a main-draw wildcard, had pushed French Open finalist Karolina Muchova to three sets on Arthur Ashe Stadium, even managing to steal a set in front of the raucous New York crowd. Although Muchova eventually closed out the match 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, Williams considered her performance a personal victory, especially given the expectations surrounding her return.
Since she wasn’t entered in either doubles draw, most assumed the veteran’s US Open appearance was finished for the season. But the very next day, the tournament stunned fans by announcing that Williams and 23-year-old Fernandez had accepted a women’s doubles wildcard. The new partnership raised eyebrows instantly, as the two had never played together. Yet what followed was nothing short of impressive: the American-Canadian pairing stormed through their first three matches in straight sets. Among their victories was a standout win over accomplished doubles specialists Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez, a result that signaled they were not stumbling into the event blindly but establishing real chemistry. Their run eventually ended in the quarterfinals at the hands of Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, who went on to win the entire tournament. Still, for a brand-new team, reaching the last eight was a significant achievement.
Reflecting on how the partnership came together, Williams explained that Fernandez reached out only after her original partner withdrew unexpectedly. “I wasn’t going to play,” the seven-time Grand Slam champion admitted. “Apparently Leylah’s partner pulled out at the last minute. I walked off the court after my singles match thinking, ‘Okay, now I can finally relax.’ I felt I had done everything I could, and I was proud of that. I normally don’t even feel that way, but I was completely checked out. Then suddenly it was, ‘Can you play doubles?’”
Her initial reaction was hesitation. Williams confessed that past experiences had made her reluctant to pair with younger players. “I was thinking no,” she said candidly. “Whenever I partnered with younger players before, they would get so tight, and it affected their ability to perform. I don’t need that kind of stress in my life.” But during the ride home, the idea began to shift. She reconsidered, wondered if giving the partnership a chance might be worth it, and ultimately decided to say yes.
Williams had only recently returned to competition after a 16-month injury hiatus, making her comeback earlier in the summer. She participated in three events upon returning, gradually building momentum and match fitness. Now, with the US Open behind her and a renewed sense of motivation, the American veteran is preparing for her next appearance, set to compete in Auckland during the opening week of the 2026 season. For Williams, the unexpected doubles run with Fernandez was not just a surprise — it was a reminder that her career still has room for spontaneous opportunities and meaningful results.
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