Williams, seven-time Grand Slam champion, received a wildcard to the singles tournament and despite being eliminated already in the first round, she received standing ovations.
The support was no less when she made her comeback as a doubles player for the first time since 2022. The judge had to ask the audience to calm down several times.
Wow. Thank you guys. Thanks for supporting us, said Williams in her victory interview. She then continued to praise Fernandez as the best doubles partner she has had, apart from her sister Serena.
The victory over Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez with 7–6 (7–4), 6–3 is Williams' first doubles victory in the US Open since 2014.
