Serena Williams given wild card for Cincinnati Open women’s doubles alongside sister Venus as comeback continues | Tennis News
Serena and Venus Williams are set to play at the Cincinnati Open after being awarded a wild card for the women’s doubles draw.
Serena made a sensational return to tennis during the grass-court season after almost four years out of the professional game, but the 44-year-old suffered a knee injury during a first-round singles loss which led to her and Venus withdrawing from the doubles at the All England Club.
Serena played doubles in London at Queen’s Club and at the Berlin Open – but not alongside Venus on either occasion – as she prepared for Wimbledon.
Venus, who turned 46 in June, has also been given a wild card for the singles draw in Cincinnati. She is seeking a first singles victory of 2026 having lost in the first round of all eight of the tournaments she has entered this year.
Venus has had slightly more success playing doubles in 2026, claiming a sole victory at two of the six tournaments she has entered. She most recently played alongside Britain’s Katie Boulter in Madrid and breakout star Alexandra Eala in Berlin.
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Judy Murray discusses Serena Williams’ comeback to tennis.
Among the other players to be awarded singles wild cards for the tournament were fellow Americans Sloane Stephens and Taylor Townsend.
As a doubles pairing, the Williams sisters have won 14 Major titles and three Olympic gold medals. They last took the court for a doubles match together at the 2022 US Open and will be playing the Cincinnati Open for the first time as a team.
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