The Williams sisters are poised to make their doubles return at the Cincinnati Open, having been granted a wild card entry. This marks a significant moment in Serena's comeback, which began during the grass-court season after a nearly four-year hiatus from professional tennis. However, her return was briefly derailed by a knee injury sustained during a first-round singles loss, prompting her and Venus to withdraw from the doubles competition at Wimbledon.
Prior to Wimbledon, Serena participated in doubles at Queen's Club and the Berlin Open, albeit without Venus as her partner. Venus, who recently turned 46, has also received a wild card for the singles draw in Cincinnati. She aims to secure her first singles victory of 2026, having fallen in the first round of all eight tournaments she has entered this year.
Although her singles performance has been challenging, Venus has experienced slightly more success in doubles, claiming a single win at two of the six tournaments she has entered in 2026. Her most recent doubles appearances were alongside Britain's Katie Boulter in Madrid and rising star Alexandra Eala in Berlin.
The Williams sisters boast an impressive doubles record, with 14 Major titles and three Olympic gold medals to their name. They last competed together in a doubles match at the 2022 US Open and are now set to make their debut as a team at the Cincinnati Open. Other notable players awarded singles wild cards for the tournament include American athletes Sloane Stephens and Taylor Townsend.