Venus Williams played a gutsy and heartfelt match against Karolina Muchova on Day 2 of the US Open. Though she lost in three sets, fans are happy to learn that isn’t the last they will see of Venus in this year’s tournament.
Venus will be pairing with Canada’s Leylah Fernandez for women’s doubles. Recall that she also played in the US Open Mixed Doubles event last week with Reilly Opelka. Williams also played in the “Stars of the Open” fan exhibition with John McEnroe and defeated the Coco Gauff and Andre Agassi team.
She is showing us at 45 that age is only a number.
1997: First U.S. Open appearance (17 years old)
2025: 25th U.S. Open appearance (45 years old)VENUS WILLIAMS. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/yzMzpuUjl2
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 25, 2025
Venus Williams Pays Homage To Arthur Ashe And Althea Gibson
Williams has long been considered one of the trailblazers of women’s tennis in this century. Watching her before her match against Muchova pay homage to last century’s pioneers was heartwarming.
A moment not really talked a lot about after tonight’s loss:
Venus Williams taking a moment and pausing in front of a picture of Arthur Ashe
And wearing an Althea Gibson inspired kit.
Wish someone had asked her about it because it’s quite a profound moment pic.twitter.com/bWfgJINGLg
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) August 26, 2025
She stopped in front of Arthur Ashe’s picture while wearing a version of Althea Gibson’s tennis dress.
My Shero, Althea Gibson, was born on this day, 98 years ago.
As we honor the 75th anniversary of Althea breaking the color barrier in tennis at this year’s U.S. Open, may we always remember her unmatched courage and strength, and how she blazed a trail for so many to follow.… pic.twitter.com/2ZNAuEAyib
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) August 25, 2025
Williams is enjoying the moment of playing the sport she loves while feeling healthy. It was a sentiment that nearly brought her to tears at her press conference last night.
Venus Williams looks emotional at the end of her US Open press conference
“What’d I prove to myself? For me getting back on court was about giving myself a chance to play more healthy. When you play unhealthy it’s in your mind. It was nice to be freer”🥹
pic.twitter.com/vYZUjP5mbX— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 26, 2025
Choosing Her Doubles Partners After A Success Career With Serena
After playing her entire doubles career with sister Serena, Venus carefully chooses her doubles partners.
Venus Williams played doubles with Hailey Baptiste in Washington, DC.
She is now playing with Fernandez.
Both are young players and future stars of the sport.
She is acting as a mentor and ambassador just like Ashe and Gibson did.
Venus Williams Round 1 Match Is Loaded With Experienced Doubles Players
Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez take on the sixth seeded team of Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez. Kichenok, partnered with Jelena Ostapenko, won the 2024 US Open. Perez with Nicole Melichar-Martinez, were quarterfinalists last year.
Williams won the 1999 and 2009 US Open doubles titles with Serena. Fernandez was a 2023 US Open women’s doubles quarterfinalist with Taylor Townsend.
