The short version
- Serena and Venus Williams received wildcard entries for the Cincinnati Open, with both participating in doubles and Venus also entering singles.
- This marks their first doubles partnership since the 2022 US Open, following a withdrawal from Wimbledon due to Serena's knee injury.
- The appearance could serve as a stepping stone for Serena to compete at the upcoming US Open after a four-year absence from Grand Slam events.
Serena and Venus Williams have been awarded wildcard entries into the women’s doubles draw at the Cincinnati Open, marking their return to partnered play on tour. The tournament, a WTA 1000 event scheduled for August 11 through 23 in Ohio, will host the siblings’ first doubles match together since the 2022 US Open. This development follows their withdrawal from the Wimbledon doubles competition last month, which was necessitated by a knee injury sustained by Serena during her singles campaign.
Serena Williams, 44, had made a highly anticipated return to Grand Slam tennis at Wimbledon after a four-year hiatus. Her comeback ended in the first round of singles with a loss to Australian player Maya Joint. The physical toll of that match resulted in the knee issue that forced the sisters out of their planned doubles appearance at the All England Club. Despite this setback, the wildcard for Cincinnati suggests an effort to rebuild momentum ahead of the season’s final major.
Venus Williams, 46, has also secured a wildcard into the singles draw for the Ohio tournament. While Serena focuses on doubles alongside her sister, Venus’ individual entry highlights the distinct paths each athlete is taking as they navigate their later careers. The sisters have historically dominated the doubles circuit, accumulating 14 major titles and three Olympic gold medals together. Their last competitive outing as a pair resulted in a defeat to Czech duo Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova at Flushing Meadows four years ago.
The Cincinnati appearance carries significant implications for Serena’s potential participation in the US Open. Her previous Grand Slam exit occurred in the third round of the 2022 New York tournament, after which she stepped away from major competition until this summer. Currently trailing Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic by one title in the all-time singles record, a return to the US Open would be a historic milestone. The upcoming matches in Ohio will likely serve as a critical indicator of her physical readiness and competitive form.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗Williams sisters set to play Cincinnati Open doubles
- The Guardian US↗Serena and Venus Williams set to play doubles in Cincinnati as US Open nears
