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Williams Sisters Awarded Cincinnati Doubles Wild Card

Organizers expect the reunion to boost fan interest with Serena entered only in doubles as she manages a Wimbledon knee tweak

Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 1, 2022 Venus Williams and Serena Williams of the U.S. after losing their women's doubles first round match against Czech Republic's Linda Fruhvirtova and Lucie Hradecka REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
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People use umbrellas during a rain delay, on day two of the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Montreal on Monday August 3, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
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Overview

  • Tournament officials announced Monday that Serena and Venus Williams will receive a doubles wild card for the Cincinnati Open and that Venus also holds a singles wild card while Serena will not play singles.
  • The Cincinnati appearance will be the sisters’ first tournament together since the 2022 US Open and marks a high‑profile stop on the hard‑court lead‑up to the US Open.
  • Serena suffered a right‑knee tweak at Wimbledon and withdrew from that event’s planned doubles, a development that organizers cited when confirming she will limit her Cincinnati program to doubles.
  • Venus has been granted repeated singles wild cards despite an extended winless run at WTA Tour level and growing fan criticism over continued main‑draw entries for legacy players.
  • Tournament directors also awarded Venus a doubles wild card at Toronto with rising star Alexandra Eala, a move that highlights how wildcard decisions are balancing promotional value for fans with opportunities for emerging players.