With Serena Williams becoming eligible to compete on the WTA Tour from February 22, speculation has swirled that the ATX Open in Austin, Texas could mark her return, potentially alongside sister Venus Williams in doubles. That talk, however, has now been put to rest. The WTA 250 tournament has revealed Venus’ doubles partner—and it is not Serena.
The 45-year-old Venus will make her ATX Open debut, teaming up with fellow American Peyton Stearns in doubles. It will mark the first partnership between the two, who have received a wildcard into the draw.
Williams and Stearns have crossed paths before, with Williams beating Stearns at last year’s Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington for her first singles win since 2023. The tennis legend has not recorded a singles win since then.
Venus is no stranger to doubles success, having captured 14 Grand Slam doubles titles alongside her younger sister Serena. Stearns will become Venus’ 13th women’s doubles partner outside of her sister. As for Serena, it remains unclear whether she intends to return to competition and whether the iconic siblings will ever share the court again as a team.
Venus most recently competed at the Australian Open in January, where she fell in the first round, 28 years after first appearing in Melbourne as a 17-year-old.
