By Erik Gudris | Monday, September 1, 2025
Photo credit: Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Perhaps the most unexpected yet inspiring story so far at this year’s US Open is the dynamic wildcard pairing of 45-year-old Venus Williams and 22-year-old Leylah Fernandez in women’s doubles.
Williams and Fernandez continue to shine on court and now find themselves in the US Open quarterfinals after they defeated the No. 12 seeds Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-4.
Williams, who returned to tennis this summer after a 16-month layoff, now finds herself back into a major doubles quarterfinal for the first time since Wimbledon in 2016 when she won the title with her sister Serena Williams.
Now the question is, will Serena herself show up to cheer her older sister on in her next match?
Venus Williams was asked about a funny online video Serena posted a day ago about her sister’s success in New York this past week.
“She’s so happy for Leylah and I, and she’s given us advice,” Williams said. “We just need her in the box. So, my message is, ‘Serena, you need to show up.’”
Venus and Serena Williams combined for a total 14 major doubles titles.
Even if Serena, who retired from the sport two years ago doesn’t attend, she’s definitely keeping up with Venus’s success.
“She gave me a pep talk and made sure to call me today. I was, like, ‘You’re right. I got it. I got it,’” Venus said. “She’s definitely coaching from afar. She’s so excited. She gets so nervous watching, and she’s got the kids watching. They’re all at home, just really on our side.”
Venus also added her sister sent a video of her two nieces watching the match and cheering her on.
For Fernandez, the opportunity to team with, and learn from Venus is very evident. That’s including from her own family.
“Well, I’m growing a lot, actually. I feel like my team members and even my family says, ‘Wow, you are growing just by playing with Venus, learning from her.’ I mean, you (Venus) may not say much on the bench, but whatever you say, I’m like kind of a sponge and kind of soaking everything in. It’s a huge opportunity for me to just learn from such a great champion, a legend like you.”
To go further in the draw, Williams and Fernandez will have a stern test ahead of them. They next face the No. 1 seeds Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova.
