Serena and Venus Williams have been granted a wild-card entry to compete together in doubles at the Cincinnati Open, organizers announced Monday. Venus Williams was also awarded a wild-card entry for the women’s singles competition at the same event.
The tournament, scheduled for August 8–23 with matches beginning August 11, will mark the first time the sisters play doubles together since the 2022 U.S. Open. Their last doubles match was at the 2022 U.S. Open, and they were previously set to reunite at Wimbledon in June but withdrew after Serena Williams injured her knee during her singles match.
Serena Williams, 44, confirmed her return to competitive tennis in June after a brief hiatus. Her most recent appearances included a first-round doubles loss at the HSBC Queen’s Club Championships in London and a first-round exit at the WTA 500 Berlin Open. Venus Williams, 46, is competing in her 33rd consecutive WTA season and holds a 12-10 record at the Cincinnati Open, having reached the semifinals in 2012 and the quarterfinals in 2019.
The Williams sisters have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals together. Fans have anticipated their doubles reunion since Serena’s return was announced. Venus Williams will also compete in mixed doubles at the U.S. Open later this month alongside Alexander Bublik.
Organizers confirmed the wild-card entries for both doubles and singles, emphasizing the significance of the Williams sisters’ participation in the tournament.