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Venus Williams, 45, reveals she was near rejecting 23-year-old Leylah Fernandez's provide to play the US Open blended doubles as a result of she most well-liked to play with somebody nearer to her age.
After being awarded a singles major draw wildcard into the US Open, Williams competed extraordinarily nicely towards heavy favourite Karolina Muchova on the Arthur Ashe Stadium – and even received a set – earlier than the 2023 French Open finalist accomplished a 6-3 2-6 6-1 win. For the reason that seven-time Grand Slam champion wasn't signed up for doubles, that was anticipated to be it in the case of the 45-year-old's marketing campaign at Flushing Meadows this 12 months.
However then, the subsequent day, the US Open organizers introduced that Williams and Fernandez accepted a major draw wildcard into the ladies's doubles occasion. Of their debut as a pair, the American/Canadian mixture received three matches in straight units – together with a really notable win over doubles specialists Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez – earlier than shedding to eventual champions Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend within the quarterfinal.
Williams: Fernandez reached out to me… Initially I used to be considering 'No'
“I wasn’t going to play, then apparently Leylah’s accomplice pulled out on the final minute. I walked off the court docket after my singles match considering, 'Kk, I can lastly calm down.' I performed one of the best I might, I used to be happy with my efforts, and I by no means actually really feel that approach, however I used to be already form of out. The subsequent factor I do know, it’s like ‘Are you able to play?’" the previous world No. 1 recalled.
“I used to be considering no, as a result of every time I’d play with gamers previously, they might get so tight, they simply weren’t capable of carry out, so I don’t want that in my life. However on the way in which residence, I used to be like, perhaps I’ll give it a strive."
Williams was out of motion for 16 months earlier than returning to motion in Washington. The American appeared in three tournaments throughout the summer time and she or he is now set to compete in Auckland within the first week of 2026.
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