• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 24, 2025

Venus Williams Returns to U.S. Open Ahead of New Mixed Doubles Format

Williams made her return to tennis just last week at the DC Open, where she became the oldest player to win a WTA singles match since 2004.

Jul 24, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; Venus Williams (USA) waves to the crowd after her match against Magdalena Frech (POL)(not pictured) in a women's singles match on day four of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Venus Williams will return to the U.S. Open next month in the revamped mixed doubles tournament after she got a wild-card entry playing with Reilly Opelka. She is also in the wild card mix for a singles bid.

After more than a year away from playing in any majors, Williams, 45, made her return to tennis just last week at the DC Open, where she became the oldest player to win a WTA singles match since 2004.

The new format for mixed doubles will be moved up to fan week on Aug. 19-20, instead of the third week of the U.S. Open in previous seasons.

The number of doubles teams has been cut to 16 from 32. Eight teams will get automatic entries based on combined singles rankings, instead of combined doubles rankings. 

Matches will be played in short sets to four games using no-ad scoring, with tiebreakers at 4-4 and a 10-point math tie break in place of a third set.

The winning team will receive a prize of $1 million, an increase from $200,000 last year.

Williams has seven Grand Slam singles titles and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, her most recent being her doubles win—along with sister Serena Williams—at Wimbledon in 2016.

She got another wild-card entry for the Cincinnati Open next month.

The eight duos with direct U.S. Open entries are No. 11 Emma Navarro and No. 1 Jannik Sinner; No. 10 Paula Badosa and No. 5 Jack Draper; No. 3 Iga Swiatek and No. 13 Casper Ruud; No. 12 Elena Rybakina and No. 4 Taylor Fritz; No. 7 Amanda Anisimova and No. 9 Holger Rune; Belinda Bencic and No. 3 Alexander Zverev; No. 4 Jessica Pegula and No. 15 Tommy Paul; No. 5 Mirra Andreeva and No. 14 Daniil Medvedev.

The six wild-card duo entries to the U.S Open are Emma Raducanu and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz; No. 8 Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe; Olga Danilovic and No. 6 Novak Djokovic; Taylor Townsend and No. 7 Ben Shelton; Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.

There are still two wild-card entries yet to be announced. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
Malik Beasley

After NBA Gambling Arrests, Where Does Malik Beasley Stand?

Beasley was in line to receive a three-year deal from the Pistons.
Malonga
October 21, 2025

Turkish Dispute Could Cloud French Star’s Return to WNBA 

Fenerbahçe needs to give Dominique Malonga a “letter of clearance.”
October 22, 2025

Michelle Wie West: LPGA Earnings vs Endorsements ‘Leveling Out’

Wie West is now retired and focused on investing.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

Fans can now follow their favorite golfers and experience every marquee moment at the Ryder Cup — thanks to innovation from T-Mobile.
Keegan Murray
October 21, 2025

$20 Million Per Year Becoming New Baseline for NBA Role Players

Christian Braun signed a five-year deal worth $125 million.
Jamier Brown
October 21, 2025

Judge Temporarily Allows Ohio High Schoolers to Make NIL Deals

Most states do not restrict high school NIL deals.
October 21, 2025

Nicklaus Wins $50M Defamation Lawsuit Over False LIV Golf Claims

The legendary golfer sued his former company.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

Fans can now follow their favorite golfers and experience every marquee moment at the Ryder Cup — thanks to innovation from T-Mobile.