Venus Williams is once again stealing headlines and defying the odds, as the evergreen superstar continues to impress at the US Open.
After all, despite a first-round exit, the manner in which she competed with Karolina Muchova deservedly earned her so much credit.
However, unwilling to accept her early defeat, the 45-year-old then opted to enter the ladies’ doubles with Leylah Fernandez.
Expectations were low for this new partnership, particularly when drawn against the number six seeds.
But, in typical Venus Williams fashion, she has shocked the tennis world, as they progressed through in straight sets.
Venus Williams pays Leylah Fernandez a huge Serena Williams compliment
The legendary veteran paid her new partner the ultimate compliment in her on-court speech after the match, suggesting the Canadian was the best partner she has ever had, other than her sister Serena Williams, of course.
However, she went one step further in the press conference, even likening young Fernandez to herself.
Venus told the US Open reporters: “I actually felt great. I feel like we had the same approach in how we looked at the match. When we were down 2-5, neither one of us were anywhere near giving up. We really wanted to win that set.
“And our energy really matched each other in terms of determination, in terms of not giving up, in terms of really still just focused and dialled in on every single thing.
“That felt amazing. I never really had played with a partner, outside of Serena obviously, who had that kind of mentality. So, it was really fun and I think we can just hopefully continue to get better.”
Barry Cowan claimed Venus Williams was more than deserving of her wildcards over this summer, and she has more than justified that notion in recent months with some statement results against all the odds.
Leylah Fernandez reveals how she reacted to being asked to play doubles with Venus Williams
Speaking in that same press conference, Fernandez reacted to such stunning praise, whilst also revealing how she reacted to Venus’ proposition to play alongside her.
First reacting to being branded Venus’ second-best doubles partner, she admitted:
“I was shocked. It was probably the biggest compliment I’d ever gotten, so thank you Venus.
“I feel like those are big shoes to fill. But I’m just super happy. This is just another opportunity for me to get better as a tennis player and keep improving.”
Fernandez then revealed how she reacted to receiving the call-up from the seven-time singles Grand Slam champion, continuing: “I was like a kid on Christmas Day. Just jumping around, I don’t think I stopped smiling all night or even in the morning.
‘I was just super happy and excited, and I’m just happy that we got the chance to play together and move on to the next round.”
