Venus Williams recently praised Leylah Fernandez, comparing her to her sister Serena Williams, after their first-round doubles match at the 2025 US Open. Before this year, Williams played her last doubles match at a Grand Slam tournament in 2022, partnering with Serena at the New York Major. They lost in the first round to Linda Nosková and Lucie Hradecká.
Williams has won a combined total of 23 Grand Slam titles, which includes seven singles titles, two mixed doubles titles, and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, all of which she won with Serena.
What Did Venus Williams Say About Her 2025 US Open Doubles Partner Leylah Fernandez?
At the 2025 US Open, Williams partnered with Fernandez for the women’s doubles event, receiving a Wild Card entry into the main draw. In their first match, they faced the sixth-seeded team of Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez, defeating them with a score of 7-6(4), 6-3.
Venus Williams wins in doubles with Leylah Fernandez‼️
It is WIlliams’ first major doubles win since 2018 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0IEu3lDILt
— espnW (@espnW) August 28, 2025
Following the first-round win, during the post-match on-court interview, Williams commended Fernandez, calling her the best doubles partner she has played with aside from Serena.
The former World No. 1 also noted that both she and Fernandez share a similar playing style, humorously adding that the only difference is that she is taller than the Canadian. “She’s the best partner I ever played with besides Serena. We play the same style. I’m just a little bit bigger,” Williams said.
Cuteness overload ❤️
Leylah Fernandez invited Venus Williams to do her signature twirl-wave after their doubles win today. pic.twitter.com/WDuiWYEuZT
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2025
With this win, Williams and Fernandez advanced to the second round, where they will compete against Ulrikke Eikeri and Eri Hozumi’s team.
How Have Williams and Fernandez Individually Performed at the US Open 2025?
In addition to the doubles event, Williams also played singles and mixed doubles at the 2025 US Open. This marked the first Grand Slam tournament since the 1998 Wimbledon Championships in which she had competed in all three events.
Williams received a Wild Card entry into the main draw in the singles draw but lost in the first round to 11th seed Karolína Muchová, with a score of 3-6, 6-2, 1-6. In the mixed doubles event, she teamed up with compatriot Reilly Opelka but was eliminated in the first round by the duo of Andrey Rublev and Muchová, losing 4-3, 5-4(4).
The journey and love for the game never stops ✨ So thankful for the freedom I felt in my body and deeply moved by the continued support. 💪🎾 pic.twitter.com/cqra4N73Ew
— Venus Williams (@Venuseswilliams) August 27, 2025
Meanwhile, Fernandez, seeded 31st at the 2025 US Open, began her singles campaign by defeating fellow Canadian and qualifier Rebecca Marino in the first round with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-1. She then overcame Elsa Jacquemot in the second round with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, advancing to the third round, where she will face defending champion, top seed Aryna Sabalenka.
