Sept 1, 2022; Flushing, NY, USA; Serena Williams and Venus Williams of the USA play Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic in Woman's Doubles on day four of the 2022 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

tennis

Venus Williams Calls Out Serena Williams to Make US Open 2025 Appearance After Huge Win Alongside Leylah Fernandez

Williams/Fernandez to take on Siniakova/Townsend in the QFs.

As it turns out, some sisterly advice does not suffice for 14-time women’s doubles Grand Slam champion Venus Williams. The 45-year-old needs her sister Serena Williams in the box and ready to cheer her on. After a magnificent victory over 12th seeds Ekaterina Alexandrova and Shuai Zhang in Monday’s Round of 16 at the 2025 US Open, Williams and her partner Leylah Fernandez sent a strong message to the 23-time major winner.

Prior to the tournament, fans were stunned as Fernandez/Williams formed a surprising, yet formidable duo in the doubles draw. Alongside sister Serena, Venus was among the most feared doubles specialists several years ago. On the other hand, Fernandez is a gifted Canadian southpaw. The 22-year-old is a former US Open runner-up, and currently ranked No. 30 in women’s singles.

So far this week, Williams and Fernandez are yet to drop a set. They defeated 6th seeds Kichenok/Perez and Eikeri/Hozumi in convincing fashion to enter the last 16. There was no shortage of quality and entertainment on Monday, as the Fernandez/Williams Express overcame its next hurdle in 74 minutes. While the pair of Alexandrova and Zhang did not do much wrong, they struggled to match the positive mindset and fierce attacks of the Canadian-American team.

45 year old Venus Williams is back into a Grand Slam QF for the first time since 2017 (Wimbledon, in singles).

Williams and Fernandez defeat Zhang/Alexandrova on a packed Armstrong 6-3, 6-4.

Venus’ first *doubles* Slam QF since 2016.

Incredible. pic.twitter.com/joG1AKE6D1
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 1, 2025

‘You Need to Show Up’ – Venus to Serena Williams

For a wildcard pairing, Williams and Fernandez have showcased coordination and accuracy well beyond their experience together. Venus Williams will play her first Grand Slam doubles quarterfinal since 2016; according to her, some of the credit also goes to her younger sister Serena Williams. “Honestly, I think she had a very funny Tik-Tok,” said the 45-year-old in front of a partisan crowd on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

“But really, she [Serena Williams] is so happy for Leylah and I. She has given us some advice, and we just need her in the box. So my message is Serena – you need to show up.” As Williams and Fernandez prepare for a monumental examination against top seeds Katerina Siniaková and Taylor Townsend, will we see the great Serena Williams on the sidelines?

(Image Credits: Robert Deutsch, Imagn Images)

Katerina Siniakova

Leylah Fernandez

Serena Williams

Taylor Townsend

Tennis

US Open 2025

Venus Williams

WTA

Sankalp Harikrishnan

A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.