NEW YORK — Venus Williams’ long-anticipated return to Grand Slam competition concluded on Tuesday as she and Leylah Fernandez faced off against the top-seeded pair of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova in the U.S. Open women’s doubles quarterfinals, falling with scores of 6-1, 6-2.
As the match wrapped up after 56 minutes at Louis Armstrong Stadium, Williams beamed while approaching the net to shake Siniakova’s hand, wrapping Townsend in a warm embrace. The crowd erupted into a standing ovation for the iconic player, with Townsend and Siniakova joining in the tribute.
“Growing up watching Venus and her sister Serena was truly inspiring for my sister and me,” Townsend shared with the audience. “It was a privilege to share the court with her today.”
Siniakova hailed Williams as “a legend” and expressed her gratitude, saying that it was “a privilege” to compete against her.
The 45-year-old Williams had previously exited the singles competition in the first round against Karolina Muchova after a tough three-set battle, as well as in mixed doubles. After a 16-month hiatus from professional play, she returned at a Washington tournament in July, with the U.S. Open marking her grand re-entry.
“What I take pride in is the fact that stepping back on the court after such a long break is no easy feat. I faced challenges I had never encountered before,” Williams reflected. “But I remained true to myself. I went for it, and that’s who I am. Good things come from this mindset, even if it didn’t work out this time. I know my worth, and I’m ready to work when the opportunity arises.”
While she was uncertain about her future plans, it sounded as if Williams was considering more competitive play ahead.
“Watching Venus express her joy on the court reminded me of why I began playing tennis,” said Canada’s 22-year-old Fernandez, the 2021 singles runner-up at this very tournament.
Williams and Fernandez earned a wild-card entry from the U.S. Tennis Association, entering the tournament as a new team without losing a set in their first three matches.
Townsend, presently ranked No. 1 in doubles, and Siniakova are a seasoned team, claiming victory at Wimbledon in 2024 and the Australian Open this year. Siniakova boasts an impressive total of 10 Grand Slam titles in women’s doubles.
Williams is the proud holder of 14 Grand Slam titles in women’s doubles alongside sister Serena, who stepped away from the professional circuit in 2022.
Additionally, she has claimed seven prestigious singles championships and two in mixed doubles.
She notably was the oldest player in the U.S. Open singles draw since 1981.
Townsend’s journey continues in the women’s doubles after a fourth-round exit in singles against Barbora Krejcikova, where she struggled to capitalize on eight match points.
“It was a challenging match, but I left everything on the court. That’s what my team and I aimed for,” Townsend said. “Matches like that define us; they are opportunities to either elevate or falter.”
Townsend also found herself in the news following a heated post-match exchange with Jelena Ostapenko after a singles encounter.
In the upcoming doubles semifinals, Townsend and Siniakova will face the No. 4 seeds, Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens. Meanwhile, the other semifinal pits No. 2 Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini against No. 3 Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe.
Kudermetova and Mertens triumphed at Wimbledon last month, while Errani and Paolini seized the French Open title in June.
