Serena: ‘I love watching women do amazing things’

2014-15 TITLIST REUNITED WITH SISTER VENUS ON DOUBLES COURT

By Richard Osborn

You’re not alone if you did a double take upon seeing ‘[WC] Serena WILLIAMS USA/Venus WILLIAMS USA’ on the women’s doubles draw here at the 2026 Cincinnati Open.

It’s been four years, after all, since these storied sisters last paired up; that was at the US Open in 2022, when Serena — the winner of an Open Era-best 23 Grand Slam singles titles — ‘evolved’ away from the sport. But here they are again, 22 doubles titles at the tour level on their collective resume, including 14 majors and three Olympic gold medals.

“I’m just here having fun. Every blue moon I’ll pop up,” said Serena, 44. “This was always one of my favorite places to play. It’s literally one of my top three places on the whole tour.”

Venus, 46, was also in the women’s singles draw in Cincinnati, falling to Colombian qualifier Emiliana Arango in the first round. Despite her stellar record on these courts, Serena is only playing doubles this time around. She (2014-15) and Victoria Azarenka (2013, 2020) are the only two players in the Open Era to claim the Cincinnati title on multiple occasions.

“Being back on court with my sister is great,” she continued. “We’re just trying to get in the rhythm and practice a little bit. It’s just so different to play doubles. I’m not used to just playing doubles. It’s a whole new vibe.”

“We’re having fun on the court. It’s coming. Taking four years off there’s definitely a lot of rust. I’m not trying to be out here forever. Sometimes I look at my coach, ‘I miss that repetition.’ I don’t get enough repetition. That’s been interesting.”

This is Serena’s first glimpse of the new-look Lindner Family Tennis Center, which last year underwent a sweeping $260 million overhaul.

“This site is so different, right? It’s so nice. I love it,” said Williams. “It’s all new, all fresh, everything is amazing.”

Her biggest memory from the tournament?

“Probably the back-to-back wins. I’m lying though, because I don’t really remember that!” she said with a laugh. “My core memories here are always just being at the amusement park [Kings Island] across the street, just being in the city, going to the movies. There’s a good gym that I go to here. Those are my core memories, which is sad, but it also sums me up because I love tennis, but I also love ‘other’ life, so my best memories are just being around town, going to the play areas with my kids. It feels great.”

As for how far the sport has come since she put her racquets down four years ago, Williams said, “I love the next gen. Mirra winning the French Open was great. Obviously, I’m Coco’s biggest fan. Rybakina, she’s kind of next gen. She’s taking over, and is just really all about, ‘I’m just here to play tennis and do nothing else.’ I love watching women play, I love watching women do amazing things, I love watching these new players just go out and do great.”