2025 U.S. Open: Canada’s Leylah Fernandez competing with Venus Williams in doubles

It was announced this week that Venus Williams, a former World No. 1 in both singles and doubles, will team with Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in women’s doubles at this year’s U.S. Open.

The 45-year-old Williams made her comeback to pro tennis in July after 16 months away due to various injuries. This is her first Grand Slam tournament in two years.

Williams is competing via a wild-card berth. She also earned a wild-card berth in the singles draw, but lost out in the first round against Karolina Muchova.

Fernandez is still alive in the singles bracket. The 22-year-old won her first round match against fellow Canadian Rebecca Marino in straight sets and she is set to face France’s Elsa Jacquemot on Wednesday evening.

Williams became the oldest player to compete in singles at the U.S. Open since 1981. In total, she has seven career Grand Slam singles titles as well as 14 major titles in doubles, which she won with sister Serena.

Fernandez was runner-up in the 2021 U.S. Open singles bracket and made it to the quarterfinals of the doubles bracket in 2023. She has four career singles titles and is currently ranked No. 33 in the world.

Williams and Fernandez are set to face the sixth-seeded duo of Lyudmyla Kichenok of Ukraine and Australian Ellen Perez in the first round on Thursday.