Serena and Venus Williams have been granted a wild‑card entry to compete together in the women's doubles draw at the 2026 US Open, marking a highly anticipated return to Grand Slam competition as a duo. The pair last teamed up in a major tournament at the 2022 US Open, and they recently reunited on the court at the Cincinnati Open earlier this month, where they played competitively for the first time in several years.
Their performance in Cincinnati set the stage for what many fans hope will be a memorable run at Flushing Meadows, the venue where the sisters previously captured two of their fourteen major titles together in 1999 and 2009. Serena’s comeback to professional tennis has been nothing short of dramatic. After stepping away from the sport for almost four years, she re‑entered the competitive arena during the 2025 grass‑court season, delivering a series of impressive displays that reminded the world of her enduring talent. Unfortunately, her return was interrupted by a knee injury sustained in the first round of Wimbledon, where she suffered a loss in singles and was forced to withdraw from the doubles event she was playing alongside Venus at the All England Club.
Despite that setback, the injury did not diminish her determination, and the wild‑card for the US Open doubles event provides a perfect platform for her to showcase her resilience and skill once again. While Serena is now 44 years old, her younger sister Venus, who turned 46 in June, has been the more active competitor throughout the current season.
Venus has entered a number of tournaments in both the singles and doubles disciplines, maintaining a steady presence on the tour and demonstrating that age has not slowed her down. Her consistent participation has kept her match‑sharp and ready for the challenges that lie ahead at the US Open.
The sisters’ combined experience—Serena’s 23 Grand Slam singles crowns and Venus’s seven—makes them a formidable pair, even if they have not played together as regularly in recent years. The tournament schedule indicates that the Williams sisters are slated to play their opening match on either September 3 or September 4, depending on the draw. The women's doubles final is set for September 11, giving them roughly a week of competition to navigate through the field. Their opponents will undoubtedly be aware of the historic significance of the Williams partnership, as the duo has amassed fourteen major titles as a team, along with three Olympic gold medals earned while representing the United States.
Those achievements have cemented their legacy as one of the most successful sibling pairings in tennis history. In addition to the doubles event, Serena also participated in the mixed doubles draw at the US Open, partnering with Spain’s rising star Carlos Alcaraz. The pair delivered an exciting first‑round performance that thrilled spectators, though their run ended in the quarter‑finals.
This mixed‑doubles appearance highlighted Serena’s versatility and her willingness to explore different formats of the game as she continues her comeback. Meanwhile, Venus received a separate wild‑card for the women’s singles main draw, confirming her intent to compete in both disciplines. Speculation about whether Serena might also enter the singles competition was put to rest when Sofia Kenin was awarded the final singles wild‑card over the weekend, effectively closing the door on a possible dual‑event campaign for Serena.
Nevertheless, the sisters’ presence in the doubles draw alone generates significant buzz, and their matches are expected to attract large audiences both on‑site and via broadcast. The US Open, broadcast live on Sky Sports beginning August 30, will also be streamed through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, providing fans worldwide with multiple ways to follow the action. In addition to live coverage, the tournament will feature a range of tennis‑related content, including score updates, match previews, player interviews, and instructional guides to the sport’s terminology.
For those looking to dive deeper into the tournament’s narrative, the event’s official website offers an A‑Z glossary of tennis terms, video highlights, and expert analysis. Beyond the immediate excitement of the Williams sisters’ participation, their return underscores broader themes in professional tennis: the longevity of elite athletes, the impact of injuries on career trajectories, and the enduring appeal of sibling partnerships on the world stage. Their story also serves as an inspiration to younger players, illustrating that dedication and perseverance can lead to comebacks even after extended periods away from competition. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the Williams sisters to see whether they can recapture the magic that defined their earlier years together.
Whether they lift the trophy or simply provide a showcase of high‑level tennis, their involvement adds a historic layer to the 2026 US Open, enriching the event for fans, commentators, and future generations of players alike.