Venus Williams explores how far she can push her tennis career's limits

For a brief moment, it felt like a return to the past—high tension, a packed stadium, and Venus Williams on the court. After Aryna Sabalenka’s singles match ended early on Tuesday, Williams’ doubles quarter-final was moved to prime time on Louis Armstrong Stadium to fill the gap in the schedule. When Williams stepped onto the court with partner Leylah Fernandez, wearing her black pleated dress and matching visor as the sun set, she appeared determined to turn back the clock. Unfortunately for her, Fernandez, and the crowd cheering them on, their opponents had no interest in reliving history.

Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend didn’t just halt any nostalgic hopes—they made it abundantly clear that while Williams and Fernandez were playing for enjoyment, their own focus was solely on victory. The top-seeded pair dominated, defeating Williams and Fernandez 6-2, 6-1 in less than an hour. Siniakova and Townsend held every service game, controlled the net, and broke their opponents with ease—delivering such a decisive performance that they nearly seemed apologetic afterward.

During the post-match interview, Siniakova described playing Williams as a "privilege," referring to her as "a legend" whom she last faced in 2017 during a second-round loss at the Canadian Open. "I remember loving her classic Reebok dress," Townsend added. "That’s what first drew me to tennis—the stylish outfits. Growing up watching Venus and Serena, they were always an inspiration for me and my sister. We wanted to be like them."

There was no bitterness from Williams' side—there rarely is. Even at this unconventional later stage of her career, she continues to carry herself with elegance. For long-time fans who have followed the 21-time Grand Slam champion since the 1990s, every additional appearance is special, as no one knows how many more remain.

Reflecting on past tournaments, Williams once mentioned watching DVDs of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to pass time between matches and weather delays. "DVDs?" she quipped when reminded, laughing. "I don’t know what he’s talking about. He’s older than me." But she recalled the memory fondly. "My dad only allowed educational programs when we were young, so I didn’t see The Fresh Prince until I was older. For me at 20, it was a big deal—but it’s timeless."

No one could have predicted then that the show’s star would one day portray her father. "Will Smith is an icon," she said. "The fact that he took on the role of my dad—and approached it with such dedication—was incredible. He poured everything into it, and he deserved the recognition. In a way, we all benefited from it. I have immense respect for him."

As for the younger fans? Many have moved on.