At 45 years old, one of tennis’s greatest icons, Venus Williams, staged a dramatic and entirely unexpected resurgence in the women’s doubles draw at the 2025 US Open, partnering with the Canadian fan-favorite Leylah Fernandez, aged 22. Their eleventh-hour, wild-card entry blossomed into a captivating “Cinderella run” that electrified the crowds at Flushing Meadows. The legendary veteran and the fiery young star formed an immediate and potent chemistry, sweeping past two seeded teams without dropping a set to reach the quarterfinals. Though their magical journey ultimately concluded with a loss to the top seeds, the impromptu partnership created one of the most memorable stories of the tournament, showcasing Venus’s enduring passion and providing an inspirational flash of competitive brilliance.
The Last-Minute Wild Card
The formation of the Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez pairing was a spontaneous decision, a testament to the unpredictable spirit of the Grand Slam tournaments. Having already competed in the revamped mixed doubles and lost a tough three-set match in singles, Williams, a two-time US Open doubles champion, accepted a last-minute wild card into the women’s doubles bracket. The choice of partner—the energetic, 2021 US Open singles runner-up, Leylah Fernandez—surprised the entire tennis world.
For Fernandez, the invitation was a dream realized. She admitted to feeling “like a kid on Christmas Day” upon getting the call, recalling her childhood admiration for the Williams sisters. Despite the significant 23-year age gap, the duo instantly found a shared “wavelength” on the court. Their contrasting yet complementary styles—Williams’ towering 6-foot-1 frame and powerful groundstrokes blending seamlessly with the 5-foot-6 Fernandez’s quick hands and aggressive net play—created a compelling dynamic that resonated deeply with the New York crowds.
A Flawless Path To The Quarters
From their opening match, the newly minted team proved they were more than just a celebrity pairing. They immediately faced a test against the sixth-seeded duo of Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez. Down 5-2 in the first-set tiebreak, the pair rallied with a shared intensity and refusal to concede, a determination that Williams herself credited to the shared mindset she used to have with her sister, Serena.
They engineered a remarkable comeback to take the first set, eventually winning the match in straight sets, 7-6(4), 6-3. Their momentum continued in the subsequent rounds. In the third round, playing on Louis Armstrong Stadium, they dispatched the 12th-seeded team of Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zhang Shuai with a clean 6-3, 6-4 victory. Crucially, they had not dropped a single set on their unexpected run to the quarterfinals, defying the odds and capturing the imagination of the fans with every performance.
The Ghost Of Serena In The Box
Throughout their victorious march, the spirit of the iconic Williams doubles partnership loomed large, and Venus made it clear that her famous sister was still involved. After their third-round win, Williams used her post-match interview to make a public and lighthearted plea for Serena, who retired from the sport in 2022, to come to the stadium. “We just need her in the box,” Venus declared. “So, my message is, ‘Serena, you need to show up.'”
Though Serena was not present, Venus revealed that her sister was actively coaching the team from afar, giving her a “pep talk” before matches and offering tactical advice. In a comical moment mid-match, Venus relayed one of Serena’s pieces of wisdom to Fernandez, only for the young Canadian to exclaim that her own sister had given her the “same exact advice.” This shared experience provided a deep, emotional link between the partners, confirming a powerful connection that transcended their limited time together on court.
The Mentorship And The Magic
The age gap between Williams and Fernandez provided a compelling backdrop for their success, highlighting a genuine bond of mutual respect. Venus, a living legend who has won 22 doubles titles, including 14 majors, surprised many by calling Fernandez her best doubles partner, second only to Serena. She jokingly noted that she often tells people she is “not good at doubles,” despite her incredible résumé, and simply tries to “play singles” on the doubles court.
Fernandez’s youthful energy and reverence for Williams energized the veteran, who was returning to tennis after a 16-month layoff. For Fernandez, the partnership was an affirmation, and she called the comparison to Serena the “biggest compliment I’ve ever gotten.” The duo’s complimentary mindsets, described by Williams as being “on the same wavelength in terms of determination,” allowed them to consistently elevate their play under pressure, particularly in front of the raucous, fully-packed crowds that cheered their every move.
The Climax And The Enduring Pride
The Cinderella story reached its dramatic conclusion in the quarterfinals, where Williams and Fernandez faced their ultimate test: the tournament’s top seeds and reigning Australian Open champions, Kateřina Siniaková and Taylor Townsend. The more established and formidable pairing of Siniaková and Townsend proved too strong, overpowering the wild card team in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2. The loss was a decisive end to the dream run, but it failed to dim the glow of their unexpected achievement.
The defeat marked the end of Venus Williams’s 25th career appearance at the US Open, where she had competed in three different events following her long break from the sport. Reflecting on her tournament, the 45-year-old expressed profound satisfaction and pride in her competitive spirit. “It’s not easy to come off the bench,” Williams said, acknowledging the difficulties of returning after such a long layoff. “I’m very proud that I stayed myself. I didn’t try to play another game. I didn’t try to play it safe. I went for it, and that’s who I am. I go for it.” The partnership with Leylah Fernandez, though brief, cemented the idea that in tennis, determination, mutual respect, and a little bit of unexpected magic can still lead to a remarkable story.
