By Erik Gudris | Monday, September 1, 2025
Photo Credit: Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Perhaps the most unexpected but inspiring story so far in this year’s US Open is the dynamic pairing of the 45-year-old’s wild cards Venus Williams and 22-year-old Leylah Fernandez in doubles of women.
Williams and Fernandez continue to shine in court and now find themselves in the US Open Finals after they beat seeds No. 12 Ekaterina Alexandrova AND Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-4.
Williams, who returned to tennis this summer after a 16-month break, now finds herself back in a large quarter-final in the first time since Wimbledon in 2016 when she won the title with her sister Serena Williams.
Now the question is, will Serena herself appear to cheer her older sister in her next match?
Venus Williams was asked about a funny video online Serena posted the day before about her sister’s success in New York this week.
“She’s very happy for Leylah and I, and she has given us advice,” Williams said. “We just need it in the box. So my message is, ‘Serena, you have to appear.” “
Venus and Serena Williams were combined for a total of 14 main double titles.
Even if Serena, who withdrew from the sport two years ago, does not participate, she is definitely going on with Venus’s success.
“She gave me a special conversation and made sure I called me today. I was, like,” You’re right. I got it. I got it, “” Venus said. “It is definitely the workout from afar. She’s so excited. She is so nervous looking, and she has the kids seeing. They’re all at home, just on our side.”
Venus also added that her sister sent a video of her two nieces watching the match and cheering her.
For Fernandez, the opportunity to join and learn from Venus is very noticeable. This is involving her family.
“Well, I’m growing up a lot, actually. I feel like my team members and even my family says,” Wow, you are just growing up playing with Venus, learning from it. “I mean, you (Venus) may not say too much on the bench, but whatever you say, I’m like a kind of sponge and a kind of soaking everything.
To go further in the draw, Williams and Fernandez will have a harsh test in front of them. They then face seeds No. 1 Taylor Townsend AND Katerina Siniakova.
