LIVE
...

Follow us on

News

Martina Navratilova recalls what it was really like to play doubles against Venus and Serena Williams

Add as preferred source on Google

Venus Williams and Serena Williams fell just short of reuniting on the doubles court at Wimbledon, but they could get their chance later this year.

After receiving a wildcard in London, Serena Williams played singles at Wimbledon, but lost her opening match against Maya Joint.

Williams had also planned to play doubles with her sister Venus Williams, but a knee injury suffered against Joint brought an abrupt end to such plans.

The focus has now switched to the American duo playing hard-court events, ahead of which their fellow WTA legend Martina Navratilova has recalled what they were like as doubles opponents.

What did you make of Serena Williams’ level on her return to singles?

Serena Williams is OUT of the Wimbledon singles event…

Martina Navratilova recalls playing doubles against Venus and Serena Williams

Discussing the Williams sisters winning all 14 of their Grand Slam doubles finals, Navratilova said on Tennis Channel: “They never lost one when they got to the finals.

“They were just massive serves, massive returns, so aggressive on the volleys. You really had no place to hit the ball.

“I played against them when they were at their height. It was crazy. The thing was coming at you so fast.

“Of course, at that point, I was like 45 years old, but anyhow, they were unbelievable, unbeatable.”

ResultYearTournamentOpponentsScore
Win1999French OpenMartina Hingis
Anna Kournikova
6–3, 6–7(2–7), 8–6
Win1999US OpenChanda Rubin
Sandrine Testud
4–6, 6–1, 6–4
Win2000WimbledonJulie Halard-Decugis
Ai Sugiyama
6–3, 6–2
Win2001Australian OpenLindsay Davenport
Corina Morariu
6–2, 2–6, 6–4
Win2002WimbledonVirginia Ruano Pascual
Paola Suarez
6–2, 7–5
Win2003Australian OpenVirginia Ruano Pascual
Paola Suarez
4–6, 6–4, 6–3
Win2008WimbledonLisa Raymond
Samantha Stosur
6–2, 6–2
Win2009Australian OpenDaniela Hantuchova
Ai Sugiyama
6–3, 6–3
Win2009WimbledonSamantha Stosur
Rennae Stubbs
7–6(7–4), 6–4
Win2009US OpenCara Black
Liezel Huber
6–2, 6–2
Win2010Australian OpenCara Black
Liezel Huber
6–4, 6–3
Win2010French OpenKveta Peschke
Katarina Srebotnik
6–2, 6–3
Win2012WimbledonAndrea Hlavackova
Lucie Hradecka
7–5, 6–4
Win2016WimbledonTimea Babos
Yaroslava Shvedova
6–3, 6–4
Serena Williams and Venus Williams’ Grand Slam doubles finals

Jim Courier urges Williams sisters to play Cincinnati before the US Open

The exact hard-court plans for both players remain to be seen, but Venus is expected to play in Washington DC and Toronto, with Serena likely taking on the latter too.

The pair could then turn to Cincinnati, but are definitely expected to be playing on home soil at the US Open, the final Grand Slam of 2026.

Sharing his take, ATP icon Jim Courier said: “I hope that they also come to Cincinnati. It’s a great tournament.

“They haven’t seen it since all the improvements have taken place there. Voted the best Masters 1000, WTA 1000 event.

“So come on ladies, come on down. It’s another good one. Get ready for the US Open.”

Venus Williams and Serena Williams celebrate at Wimbledon in 2016.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

He also discussed a potential blockbuster pairing between Serena and Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open mixed doubles, although the Spaniard is currently sidelined with a wrist injury.

Admitting that Alcaraz may not be ready for the event, Courier said: “No, but I’ll tell you what, Serena could probably find another partner.

“I’m guessing she might be able to find someone. I am not lacing them up, but I’ll be happy to watch, that’s for sure.”

Fortunately Venus did manage to play at Wimbledon despite Serena’s injury, although she lost her opening mixed doubles match alongside Kevin Krawietz.