On an emotionally charged night on Arthur Ashe Stadium two evenings ago, most believed that Venus Williams had bid farewell to the US Open for another year and – quite possibly – for the final time in her glittering career.
Yet, just under 48 hours after that heroic loss to Karolina Muchova in the first round of the singles draw, it has been announced that US Open organisers have awarded the 7-time Grand Slam champion a wildcard entry into the women’s doubles event, where she will play alongside Canada’s Leylah Fernandez.
The pair will take on Lyudmyla Kichenok of Ukraine and Australian Ellen Perez – the sixth seeds – in the first round.
Williams, 45, and partner Fernandez – who is a former singles finalist at Flushing Meadows – will hope to add to the American’s tally of two US Open doubles titles.
Williams won the US Open doubles title in 1999 and 2009, alongside her younger sister and 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena on both occasions.
