Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

‘Biggest Compliment I’ve Ever Gotten’ – Leylah Fernandez blushes after Serena Williams Comparisons Drawn at the US Open 2025

Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Following the first-round exits in the Mixed Doubles and Singles respectively, Venus Williams finally tasted her first victory at the 2025 US Open. The American legend cracked the first-round of the women’s doubles on Thursday. Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez defeated the reigning champion Lyudmyla Kichenok and her partner Ellen Perez 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 in the first round of the women’s doubles.

The 45-year-old secured her first Grand Slam victory in four years and first major doubles’ win since 2018. The pair fought hard in the first set which went into tiebreak. Fernandez was instrumental with her sharp groundstrokes. The duo will now take on Japan’s Eri Hozumi and Ulrikke Eikeri of Norway in the second round.

Cuteness overload ❤️

Leylah Fernandez invited Venus Williams to do her signature twirl-wave after their doubles win today. pic.twitter.com/WDuiWYEuZT
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2025

Venus Williams Compares Leylah Fernandez with Her Former Doubles Partner and Younger Sister Serena Williams

Venus Williams accepted a wildcard invitation to partner Fernandez and comfortably won the opening-round match. The American ace was impressed with her partner Leylah Fernandez and gave her beautiful compliment which also involved Serena Williams. The Williams sisters won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympics gold medals together.

“We play the same style, I’m just a little bit bigger, but we’re a great team. She’s the best partner I’ve had outside of Serena,” Venus Williams said on-court after winning the first Grand Slam match in four years.

Venus Williams says Leylah Fernandez is the best doubles player she’s played with besides Serena after their win at U.S. Open

“She’s the best partner I ever played with besides Serena. We play the same style. I’m just a little bit bigger.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/GlzzyIo9Kx
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 28, 2025

“I always tell people, ‘I’m not good at doubles’ and no one believes me. I had a really good partner. Now I have another really good partner,” the seven-time major champion continued. “I felt great because I feel like we had the same approach in terms of how we looked at the match. When we got down 2-5, neither one of us were anywhere near giving up. We want to win that set.

“Our energy really matched each other in terms of determination, in terms of not giving up, in terms of really still just focus and dialed in on every single thing. That felt amazing, because I never really played with a partner, outside of Serena, obviously, who had that kind of mentality.”

Williams won the US Open women’s doubles title in 1999 and 2009 alongside younger sister Serena. Her partner Fernandez was the finalist in the 2021 US Open where she lost to Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu. The 22-year-old is also featuring in the singles and will take on world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in third round on Friday.

Leylah Fernandez Was in Disbelief after Getting Compliment from Venus Williams

Fernandez, who idolized the Williams sisters, said when she was asked about the compliment from Venus: “I was shocked… it’s probably the biggest compliment I’ve ever gotten. I feel like those are big shoes to fill”

“I don’t think we came in with a plan. We came in and tried to figure things out in the beginning. Venus said the most amazing, amazing strategy during a changeover: bring your energy up. That definitely helped.“

“Venus said you were the best doubles partner outside of Serena”

Leylah: “I was shocked” 😂 pic.twitter.com/FGY00GpXvN
— TENNIS (@Tennis) August 29, 2025

“It was nerve-wracking, exciting,” the 22-year-old said of playing alongside Williams. “The night before I was shaking, I was super happy. You were super nice and welcoming, that brought my nerves down, so thank you for doing that!”

Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez had a tough start in the match as the sixth-seed pair had a 5-2 lead. The American and Canadian duo lost two break points but replied back with two break of their own. The set went into the tie-breaker where Williams delivered her experience. The energy wasn’t down in the second set and wrapped up the match through dominant display.

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Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.