Tennis legend Venus Williams returns to the French Open five years after her last appearance, teaming up with rising American Hailey Baptiste for the women’s doubles event at Roland-Garros.
At 45 years old, seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams has confirmed her participation in the 2026 French Open — but this time not in the singles draw. Williams will compete in the women’s doubles event alongside 24-year-old American Hailey Baptiste, marking her first appearance at Roland-Garros in five years.
The pair gained direct entry into the tournament based on their combined rankings, bypassing the need for a wildcard, and are scheduled to play at the clay-court Grand Slam from May 24 to June 7 in Paris.
Williams, a former World No. 1 in both singles and doubles, will not contest the women’s singles this year. Her last main-draw singles appearance at a Grand Slam earlier in 2026 was at the Australian Open, where she became the oldest woman to play in the singles field before losing in the opening round.
Despite her age, Williams remains one of tennis’s most accomplished players — with seven Grand Slam singles titles and 14 major doubles titles to her name, including French Open doubles victories in 1999 and 2010 (both with sister Serena Williams).
Partner Hailey Baptiste, who is 21 years younger, enters Roland-Garros on an upward trajectory. In 2026 she reached the semifinals of the Madrid Open, including a notable victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka after saving six match points — one of the most dramatic wins of her career.
In a sport where longevity is rare, Williams’s return at 45 underscores her enduring passion and competitive spirit. Her decision to focus on doubles reflects a shift in strategy while continuing to contribute meaningfully to one of tennis’s biggest stages.
Quotes:
“Playing at Roland-Garros again is a privilege,” said Williams in a recent press release (paraphrased from multiple sources confirming her entry). “Partnering with Hailey, a talented and rising player, makes this return even more special.”
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