Venus & Serena Williams return as doubles partners at 2026 US Open

It seemed inevitable and the worst kept secret, but on Wednesday, tennis fans received confirmation that Venus and Serena Williams, the 1999 and 2009 US Open women's doubles champions, will compete in women's doubles at the 2026 US Open.

The sisterly duo accepted a wildcard and will make their first appearance together in New York since 2022 when Serena retired the first time.

Their success as a doubles team is unparalleled. Venus and Serena played at the Cincinnati Open, losing in the first round to the formidable Peyton Stears and Marta Kostyuk team .

There were flashes of Williams sister magic in that Cincinnati Open match. We also saw more vintage Serena on Tuesday when she paired with Carlos Alcaraz in US Open mixed doubles .

Perhaps Serena was using the mixed doubles as a barometer for her health before accepting a wildcard. She suffered a knee injury at Wimbledon which sidelined the comeback for a few weeks.

Serena Williams embraces her sister, Venus Williams, after their doubles match at the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Aug. 17, 2026. The sisters fell to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns, 6-2, 1-6, 10-8.

In a year where we are celebrating Roger Federer's induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame , it is amazing to think that the Williams sisters, around Federer's age, are still competing.

Their Cincinnati Open draw was not great, but if they can get a round or two under their belts and regain the confidence, no one can predict what might happen.

Venus, 46, and Serena, 44, would not be the oldest Grand Slam champions if they would happen to win the US Open. Martina Navratilova was 49 when she won the 2006 US Open mixed doubles title weeks before her 50th birthday.