Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez Triumph in U.S. Open Doubles
In a surprising turn of events at the U.S. Open 2025, tennis legend Venus Williams extended her stay in New York by teaming up with rising star Leylah Fernandez in the women’s doubles.
Initially, Williams planned to compete only in singles. But a late-night call changed everything and led to a partnership with Fernandez.
Their unexpected team-up resulted in a thrilling victory against the No. 6 seeds, Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez. That win pushed them into the second round.
The Unexpected Partnership
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Venus Williams, a tennis icon with 14 Grand Slam titles in women’s doubles, was set to make her 25th main-draw appearance in the singles at the U.S. Open after receiving a wild card.
But then, fate intervened. Leylah Fernandez, a young Canadian talent, suddenly found herself without a doubles partner when Marie Bouzková withdrew due to injury.
Fernandez’s father and coach, Jorge Fernandez, suggested reaching out to Williams. To their surprise, Williams said yes, and just like that, the partnership was born.
A Match Made in Heaven
They hadn’t practiced together before their debut match, but Williams and Fernandez clicked instantly on the court.
Fans packed into Louis Armstrong Stadium to watch them upset the No. 6 seeds, Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez. The match was originally set for the Grandstand court, but it got moved to the second-biggest stadium at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, giving more people a chance to see their electric performance.
Thrilling Victory
The duo faced a tough first set and fell behind 3-5. Still, they dug deep and forced a tiebreak.
Williams fired powerful serves, and Fernandez played with sharp strategy. Together, they took the first set 7-6(4).
In the second set, they jumped ahead 2-0. Their opponents pushed back, but Williams and Fernandez held their nerve and closed it out 6-3.
When Fernandez finished the match with an unreturnable serve, the crowd went wild. The pair celebrated with huge smiles and obvious relief.
Williams and Fernandez thrived thanks to their shared fighting spirit. Williams even compared their dynamic to the one she shares with her sister, Serena.
They stayed focused and refused to give up, pushing each other to fight for every point.
Behind the Scenes
This duo came together through quick thinking and a little luck. Fernandez’s team scrambled to find a replacement after Bouzková’s withdrawal, and Jorge Fernandez came up with the idea to ask Williams.
Fernandez lit up when Williams agreed, saying it felt *like a kid on Christmas Day*. Even without much practice, their games meshed almost instantly, leading to one of the tournament’s most memorable wins.
Looking Ahead
Next up, Williams and Fernandez will face Ulrikke Eikeri and Eri Hozumi in the second round. With Williams’s experience and Fernandez’s recent match sharpness, they’ve got a solid shot at keeping the momentum going.
For Williams, this unexpected doubles run has brought a fresh sense of fun to her game. Fernandez, meanwhile, is soaking up every chance to learn from one of the sport’s true legends.
Conclusion
The unexpected partnership between Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez has really caught the attention of tennis fans. It’s added a surprising twist to the U.S. Open 2025.
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Their victory over the No. 6 seeds says a lot about their skill and determination. There’s also something about the way they click together on the court—it’s hard not to notice.
As they get ready for their next match, everyone seems to be watching this duo. Can they keep this wild journey going?
If you’re curious about their story or want the latest updates, check out The New York Times.