Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion, is set to make another comeback to competitive tennis at the age of 44, partnering with her sister Venus Williams in the doubles draw at the Cincinnati Open. Tournament organizers confirmed this week that the iconic sisters have been awarded a wild-card entry into the doubles field at the hard-court event in Mason, Ohio, which begins next week.
First Doubles Match Together Since 2022 US Open
The Williams sisters, who have won 14 major doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals together, last played a doubles match as a pair at the 2022 US Open. Their upcoming appearance in Cincinnati will mark their first team-up in nearly four years. The duo had been scheduled to play doubles at Wimbledon in June, but Serena was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury, disappointing fans who had hoped to see them compete at the All England Club.
Venus Williams, 46, is also slated to compete in mixed doubles at the US Open later this month alongside Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik, indicating that both sisters remain active on tour despite their age.
Serena's Recent Comeback Struggles
Serena's competitive return earlier this year was brief, lasting only three matches. She opened with a first-round doubles victory at the Queen's Club in London alongside Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, but the pair withdrew after Mboko sustained an MCL knee injury. Serena then suffered a doubles defeat with Karolina Muchova in Berlin, followed by a first-round singles loss to Maya Joint at Wimbledon, with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.
Reflecting on her Wimbledon withdrawal from doubles, Serena expressed her disappointment in an Instagram post: 'I'm heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside Venus once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could, but unfortunately my knee just isn't ready to compete.' She added, 'I'm especially grateful to tournament director, Jamie Baker, and the entire tournament team for giving me every opportunity to recover. Thank you to the fans for your incredible support and for making this comeback so meaningful…All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you…'
What This Means for the Cincinnati Open
The Cincinnati Open, a key tune-up event for the US Open, will now feature one of the most celebrated pairs in tennis history. The Williams sisters' participation is expected to draw significant attention and boost ticket sales, as fans eagerly anticipate seeing the duo compete together once more. Their last doubles match together was at the 2022 US Open, where they lost in the first round to Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova.
Serena Williams, who has not played singles since the 2023 US Open, has hinted at further appearances, saying 'stay tuned to a city near you,' suggesting that this comeback may not be her last. The Cincinnati Open will provide a crucial test of her fitness and form as she aims to compete at the highest level again.
