Serena and Venus Williams are back in the US Open draw. The USTA announced on Aug. 26 that the sisters had received a last-minute wild card into the 2026 women’s doubles tournament, their first US Open doubles appearance together since 2022.
A comeback with some setbacks
The pair had planned to return to Grand Slam doubles at Wimbledon this summer. Serena, 44, hurt her knee during the singles event there, which was her first Grand Slam match since 2022, and the sisters withdrew from doubles. In an Instagram post on July 4, she said she was heartbroken, but that competing again and the chance to play alongside Venus had meant the world to her.
They finally teamed up again at the Cincinnati Open on Aug. 17, losing in the first round to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns. The US Open is their chance to go further.
Their doubles record
- 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a team
- US Open champions in 1999 and 2009
- Ages: Venus is 46, and Serena turns 45 at the end of September
Our take
Whatever happens on court, seeing the sisters play together in New York again is a gift for tennis fans. Two women in their mid-40s choosing to compete at the highest level, and to do it as a team, is inspiring. Win or lose, they’re once again proving they set their own timeline.
