At the upcoming US Open, Venus and Serena Williams are set to join forces in the doubles draw, marking their first joint appearance at a major tournament in four years.
The legendary American duo, who have previously secured the New York doubles crown twice, received a wildcard invitation from the United States Tennis Association (USTA).
The sisters previously shared the court at a Grand Slam during the 2022 US Open, which served as Serena’s retirement event prior to her stepping away from the professional game.
Earlier in June, Serena marked her comeback by participating in doubles action at Queen’s, shortly before securing the last remaining wildcard spot for the singles draw at Wimbledon.
The 44-year-old tennis star was defeated 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 by Australian opponent Maya Joint, during which she picked up a knee issue that forced her withdrawal from the doubles competition alongside Venus.
Meanwhile, 46-year-old Venus has made occasional appearances in both singles and doubles events on the WTA Tour over the past few seasons.
The siblings recently combined forces at the Cincinnati Open in August, where they suffered a three-set defeat against Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns.
On Tuesday, Serena competed in the mixed doubles bracket in New York with partner Carlos Alcaraz, securing an initial victory before bowing out in the quarter-final stage.
Additionally, Venus has been awarded a wildcard spot for the singles tournament, which is scheduled to commence on Sunday, August 30.
With 14 Grand Slam doubles championships to their credit, the duo last tasted major glory together at Wimbledon back in 2016.
This upcoming event represents only their third joint Grand Slam campaign since that triumph, following partnerships at Roland Garros in 2018 and in New York four years back.
They captured their second major doubles trophy in New York in 1999, replicating that success a decade later at the same venue.
Boasting an undefeated record in Grand Slam doubles finals, the sisters are slated to launch their campaign on either Thursday, September 3 or Friday, September 4.
During last year’s tournament at Flushing Meadows, Venus partnered with Canadian Leylah Fernandez to reach the quarter-finals, where they were bested by the top-seeded tandem of Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend.
