Revisiting the Legacy of the Williams Sisters in Doubles Tennis
New York: Claire Curran, a former doubles player representing Great Britain and Northern Ireland, vividly remembers a match against a renowned pair of sisters from the U.S.
Curran and partner Anne Keothavong faced Serena and Venus Williams in the first round of Wimbledon in 2007. At that time, the Williams sisters were among the world’s top players and the leading doubles team. They were continually on course to capture any title they focused on.
Recalling the summer, Curran described an afternoon when they waited for 15 minutes after the match was announced for the Williams sisters to join them next to the court. Once present, the sisters made them wait again before starting play.
The actions conveyed a clear power imbalance. The Williams sisters capitalized on their advantage, employing tactics seen when players dominate in tennis.
“Definitely got in my head,”
Curran acknowledged regarding their 6-1, 6-3 defeat on Court 18. Curran, now a commentator at the All England Club, recounted this in July.
The duo excelled in exploiting and mastering strategies throughout their partnership, including winning 14 Grand Slam titles. They secured the Olympic gold medal thrice and claimed the U.S. Open doubles titles in 1999 and a decade later.
Now, at ages 44 and 46, Serena and Venus Williams will participate in the first round of the 2026 U.S. Open women’s doubles against Australia’s Maya Joint and Taiwan’s Chan Hao-Ching. This marks their first match together since losing in the first round of the 2022 U.S. Open, when Serena initially stepped away from tennis.
Their play revives memories of a different era in tennis. Top-tier players rarely team up for doubles in major tournaments. The Williams sisters didn’t often play doubles in smaller tournaments, as their understanding of each other negated the need for practice.
In a June news conference, Venus commented:
“For us it was about the titles.”
They prioritized Grand Slam titles, focusing their efforts to bring them home.
Pam Shriver and Martina Navratilova hold the record for 20 women’s Grand Slam doubles titles. Shriver believes the Williams sisters could have broken this record if they had actively pursued it.
Instead, similar to many standout singles players, their singles careers dominated their time, reducing their doubles play. Examples include Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Świątek, who have achieved notable doubles success.
Doubles partnerships featuring two top players are rare now. Gauff and Jessica Pegula formed such a team ahead of the 2024 Olympics but haven’t played major tournaments since, although they reunited for doubles at the Berlin Tennis Open.
Pegula acknowledges the benefits of playing doubles with Gauff:
“I think it really helped my game,”
She noted during a news conference.
Doubles helps players develop skills, but scheduling challenges often overshadow its benefits. Singles remain the priority at tournaments, often with late-night doubles matches followed by early morning singles matches.
Added logistical complications arise with the two-week WTA 1000 events, demanding more travel time. Players often prefer breaks after early Grand Slam exits.
Despite logistical difficulties, the joy of playing doubles is apparent. Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider display evident enjoyment and creativity during their play.
Alexandra Eala emphasizes the uniqueness of doubles:
“I love it, and I hope to play more of it,”
She expressed during a news conference.
Shriver wishes for more appearances from the Williams sisters, believing they could still clinch another Grand Slam title. Their excellence on the doubles court remains unmatched.
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