Venus Williams has 14 Grand Slam doubles titles to her name, and she may be on her way to another after her and partner Leylah Fernandez advanced to the second round of the U.S. Open women’s doubles tournament, knocking off No. 6 seed Ellen Perez and Lyudmyla Kichenok 7-6, 6-3 on Thursday.
But when asked about getting back on the court in a doubles tournament for the first time, Williams made light of her success.
“I always tell people, ‘I’m not good at doubles.’ No one believes me,” she said.
Williams garnered plenty of success while playing doubles with her sister Serena, but on Thursday, she and Fernandez made up a potent team as they battled back from two deficits in the first set and marched through the second set for a win.
Venus Williams reacts after her US Open doubles win Aug. 28. Getty Images
The tennis great even gave her 22-year-old doubles partner “the biggest compliment I ever got” when Williams called Fernandez the best doubles partner she’s had, except for Serena.
“I feel like those are big shoes to fill at the moment,” Fernandez said. “I’m just super happy. I think it’s just another opportunity for me to get better as a tennis player and just keep improving.”
The match was a happier outcome for Williams, who became emotional after she lost in three sets Monday night in her first Grand Slam singles match in two years.
Venus Williams hits a shot during her US Open doubles match Aug. 28. APWilliams and Fernandez were treated to plenty of support inside Louis Armstrong Stadium on Thursday, as fans chanted, “Here we go, Venus, here we go,” and held up signs in support of the beloved tennis star.
Williams and Fernandez had to battle back from down 2-5 in the first set before winning the next two to tie, but again had to fight back when Perez and Kichenok won the 11th game of the set.
Venus Williams, of the United States, right, and Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, hug after defeating Lyudmyla Kichenok, of the Czech Republic and Ellen Perez, of Australia, in a first round women’s doubles match during the U.S. Open tennis championships, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, in New York. APPerez and Kichenok lost the 12th game on a forehand forced error and another forced error in the 13th game sealed the set for Williams and Fernandez.
Williams, competing at age 45, and Fernandez quickly took control of the second set and secured the win.
The pair will face Ulrikke Eikeri and Eri Hozumi in the second round Saturday, and Williams’ stay at the U.S. Open will extend a little bit longer.
Venus Williams acknowledges fans after her US Open doubles match Aug. 28. Getty ImagesAsked about her preparation in returning to tennis on such a big stage, Williams simply said she “prepared the best that I could.”
“At the end of the day, once you walk on a match court, as much as you might even tell yourself it’s not different, it is. And I feel like with the amount of matches I’ve played, I’m progressing very quickly. I didn’t have to come back to play tennis, but eventually I found my way back,” she said.
