Venus Williams Issues Public Plea for Serena to Join US Open Doubles Run
NEW YORK – Venus Williams is hoping a little sisterly support will propel her and partner Leylah Fernandez further in the US Open doubles tournament, publicly urging Serena Williams to come to Queens and join them. Following their 6-3, 6-4 quarterfinal-clinching victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zhang Shuai on Monday, Venus issued a direct appeal to her sister.
“She’s given us advice, and we just need her in the box,” Venus said in a post-match interview. “So my message is, ‘Serena, you need to show up.'”
Venus elaborated that Serena’s coaching extends beyond on-court strategy, describing her as a key motivator. “She gave me a pep talk and made sure to call me today,” Venus revealed. “She’s definitely coaching from afar. She’s so excited. She gets so nervous watching, and she’s got the kids watching. They’re all at home, just realy on our side.”
While appreciative of the remote support, Venus expressed a desire for Serena to experience the run firsthand. ”If she came, it would be a dream for both of us, and we’d have her on the court coaching,” she said with a laugh. “We’d force her to hit, even though she doesn’t hit often. Its probably best she doesn’t come because we’d probably bully her.”
The Williams sisters,who have combined for 14 major doubles titles,are making an unexpected splash at the tournament. Venus remained in New York after losses in the mixed doubles event and a first-round singles match against Karolina muchova, accepting a wild card into the doubles draw with Fernandez.
As beginning their partnership last Thursday, the duo has dominated, winning three consecutive matches without dropping a set and quickly becoming a fan favorite. They are now considered a legitimate contender for the championship, leveraging Venus’s established doubles pedigree and Fernandez’s own remarkable record, including a previous US Open singles final appearance and a French Open doubles final appearance.
Their next challenge comes Tuesday in Louis Armstrong Stadium – a venue they’ve dubbed their “happy place” – against the world’s top-ranked doubles team, Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova. While a boost from Serena would be welcome, Venus acknowledged their current form. ”Though the way they’re playing, they might not need one.”
