Unlikely pair Venus Williams, Leylah Fernandez bring 'so much joy' to crowds at U.S. Open

One might say we needed this.

In a tournament marked by epic player meltdowns, a raucous audience and a grown man grabbing a hat from a child, the unlikely partnership of a 45-year-old tennis icon and 22-year-old Canadian up-and-comer has captured the hearts of U.S. Open crowds.

Tennis legend Venus Williams and young Canadian star Leylah Fernandez had not played together until last week, when they received a wild-card entry into the field at the Grand Slam tournament.

They are now 3-0 — having not lost a set in the process — and are set to play in the quarterfinals today.

On social media, fans have called them "the dream team we did not expect but we deserve."

"It's a feel-good story," Tom Tebbutt, a tennis journalist based in Toronto and member of the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame, told CBC News.

There's the 23-year age difference, Tebbutt noted, and their height difference, with Fernandez being 5-6 and Williams towering over her at 6-1.

But on top of that, there's the fact that Williams has 14 Grand Slam doubles titles with her sister, Serena, and has been competing at the U.S. Open for nearly three decades. Fernandez, who hails from Laval, Que., is by comparison, at least, relatively new to the the U.S. Open after her storybook breakout in 2021.

"It's just a great juxtaposition of players at opposite ends of their careers," Tebbutt said. "As players, Venus still has lots of power, especially on the forehand side, and Leylah is an eager jitterbug covering a lot of court with loads of moxie."

WATCH | Williams and Fernandez become tennis's most-hyped pair: Venus Williams and Canadian Leylah Fernandez become tennis’s most-hyped pair Tennis fans have been surprised and delighted by the unexpected partnership between legend Venus Williams and young Canadian star Leylah Fernandez at the U.S. Open.

'Just a lot of drama'

Williams and Fernandez will play today against the top-seeded team of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova.

Townsend, you may recall, was recently in the news courtesy of a heated argument with opponent Jelena Ostapenko, where a spar at the net about tennis etiquette quickly escalated into a post-match online uproar that included allegations of racism.

Ostapenko has since apologized for saying Townsend had "no education," but the exchange was just one of many dramatic moments marring this year's tournament.

There was, of course, Daniil Medvedev's meltdown after a photographer wandered onto the court during his match. Medvedev launched a tirade at the official, who announced his opponent would get another first serve because of the delay, before orchestrating a chorus of boos from the stands and, finally, smashing his racket.

This netted Medvedev a $42,500 fine from the U.S. Open for unsportsmanlike conduct and racket abuse.

Russia's Daniil Medvedev talks to the referee during his first round match against France's Benjamin Bonzi on Aug. 24, 2025 at Flushing Meadows in New York. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

And there was a tense conversation over grunting — yes, grunting — on Saturday, when Jaume Munar took issue with Zizou Bergs's noises during their match. Also on Saturday, Sorana Cirstea said the trophy she received after winning a recent women's tournament was stolen from her New York hotel room while she was playing.

On Thursday, another net encounter went badly when the match's loser, two-time Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, let the winner, Daniel Altmaier, know he hadn't appreciated an underarm serve — which is allowed.

WATCH | CEO apologizes for taking hat from from boy: CEO apologizes for taking hat from boy at U.S. Open Piotr Szczerek, the man who went viral for grabbing tennis player Kamil Majchrzak’s hat from a young fan at the U.S. Open, has apologized for his ‘hurtful actions’ and said he returned the hat.

Not to be outdone by the players themselves, a video of spectator Piotr Szczerek went viral after he snatched tennis player Kamil Majchrzak's hat from a disappointed young fan. He later apologized.

"New York City tends to bring out just a lot of drama, I guess," player Jessica Pegula said Saturday, according to multiple media outlets.

'Love watching the two of them'

But then, there are Williams and Fernandez, delighting the crowds with their enthusiasm and mutual respect for each other.

"Cuteness overload," posted the U.S. Open's X account, alongside a video of Fernandez inviting Venus Williams to do her signature twirl-wave.

Another fan on X described the interaction as one that showcased their on-court chemistry, respect and appreciation.

Sound On!Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez are the dream team we did not expect but we deserve. They have brought so much joy to this tournament. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/1YDHNJ5J51 —@GroundPasspod

"They have brought so much joy to this tournament," posted the tennis podcast Ground Pass.

"It's amazing to get to see her play with Venus. I love watching the two of them on the court," tennis fan Teresa Saccucci told CBC News Network, speaking from Regina.

Williams, for her part, has called Fernandez her best partner other than Serena.

"We're on the same wavelength, and hopefully we can keep it going," Williams said Monday.

On Instagram, Fernandez had a few words about their run, herself.

"I'm sorry I stole your partner, @Serena Williams," she posted Monday. "She's pretty awesome."

Click here to read article