Venus and Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Andy Roddick and Taylor Fritz were among the tennis stars spotted throughout the concrete jungle last week.
Source: pagesix.com
Tag: Venus Williams
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US Open 2026: Thea Frodin Follows Serena Williams’ Footsteps After Playing Her Idol in ‘King Richard’
Thea Frodin once portrayed a young Serena Williams on the big screen. Now, the American teenager is preparing to follow in her childhood idol’s footsteps with her US Open main-draw debut.
Five years ago, Frodin was selected as a tennis-playing body double for the actress who played Serena in the Oscar-nominated film King Richard. At the time, the 12-year-old worked alongside Will Smith, who portrayed Richard Williams, the father of Serena and Venus Williams.
“Being able to play the role of somebody that I looked up to for my whole life was super special,”
Frodin told the WTA website.
“I was honoured. She was one of the players that I looked up to most, just when I was starting to play.”
“She’s such an inspiration to me.”
Frodin will now make her main-draw singles debut at her home Grand Slam. Serena and Venus Williams are also set to team up in the US Open doubles this year, adding further significance to the occasion.
The teenager faces a formidable first-round opponent in world number two Elena Rybakina, a two-time major winner and the reigning Australian Open champion.
“I’m trying to stay in the moment as much as possible,” said Frodin. “This is a huge opportunity for me to enjoy the moment, have fun and see what I can do. “The atmosphere, how loud the crowd will be, I feel like I fit well in that environment.”
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Jessica Pegula Overcomes Nerves to Open US Open With Win Over Ruse
Jessica Pegula and Marta Kostyuk made winning starts at the 2026 US Open on Sunday, earning an extra day of rest before their second-round matches.
Pegula, one of the first players to compete at this year’s tournament, said starting on Sunday offered a mental advantage after her experience last year.
“It is a little bit weird, but I did kind of enjoy that I could breathe for the next couple of days and everyone else is still freaking out about whether they’re going to win their first round,” she said.
That early start can feel very different after a loss.
“We were just talking about it, and I said it’s so nice to play on Sunday when you win. But if you lose it’s not nice, because you feel like the tournament didn’t even start and you’re out of it,” No. 11 seed Marta Kostyuk said.
No. 3 seed Pegula defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-2. The 2024 US Open runner-up said she felt nervous at the beginning, with a potential path to the world No. 1 ranking adding to the stakes.
Pegula leads the women’s tour with 46 wins this season. She has won two titles and reached three additional finals. She can rise to No. 1 if she captures her first major championship and No. 2 Elena Rybakina loses before the semifinals.
“I felt really nervous before I went out there, but I know my coaches were like, ‘You didn’t really look that nervous. We thought you played great,’” Pegula said.
Pegula will next play Sofia Kenin, who defeated fellow American wild card Venus Williams 6-2, 7-6 (6). The match began at 12:13 a.m., making it the latest start to a match at the US Open.
Kostyuk also advanced comfortably, beating Storm Hunter 6-4, 6-1. The victory gave Kostyuk a strong opening at the year’s final Grand Slam after she reached the semifinals at both the French Open and Wimbledon.
Sunday winners at the US Open
This was the second year featuring a Sunday start at the US Open, although several of the tournament’s biggest names will begin their campaigns Monday. Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka faces Camila Osorio, while former champions Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek and Sloane Stephens are also scheduled to play. Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova is on Monday’s schedule as well.
Other winners Sunday included No. 9 seed Elina Svitolina, No. 19 Jasmine Paolini and No. 31 Leylah Fernandez, the 2021 US Open runner-up.
No. 27 seed Barbora Krejcikova, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, lost to Kamilla Rakhimova 7-6 (4), 6-2.
Rain prevented seven matches from being completed. One men’s match was also delayed despite being played in the other stadium equipped with a retractable roof.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Novak Djokovic Praises Serena Williams’ Comeback Ahead of US Open Appearance
Novak Djokovic has praised Serena Williams’ “epic” return to professional tennis ahead of her expected appearance at the US Open.
Speaking to PEOPLE about his Prime Video documentary, Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter, the 39-year-old tennis star hailed Williams’ comeback at the age of 44, four years after her last professional match.
Novak Djokovic praises Serena Williams’ comeback
“Serena is an inspiration. Serena is epic,” he said. “I’ve always been a fan of what she’s doing after two children, coming back and attempting to compete at the highest level in Slams.”
He added, “Regardless of what she does, it’s already incredibly inspiring. We should all enjoy her presence.”
Will Novak Djokovic play into his 40s?
Asked whether he could see himself continuing to play in his 40s, Djokovic said, “I don’t want to be missing out on different events of close family members.”
“I’ve lived an incredibly fulfilling, successful professional life. In a sense, you have to be kind of selfish as an individual athlete to be pursuing your career, and everyone else is supportive of you.”
Novak Djokovic addresses retirement questions
After more than two decades in professional tennis, the 24-time Grand Slam champion is accustomed to questions about when he will retire. However, he acknowledged that the frequency of those questions can be frustrating.
“I do understand that people would like to know exactly when the moment is coming, but I don’t know it yet myself,” he said. “I’d like to play till Olympics ’28, which is in two years. But let’s see.”
The Prime Video documentary follows Djokovic’s journey from growing up in war-torn Yugoslavia in the 1990s to becoming one of the greatest tennis players in history. Djokovic hopes viewers will connect with the “universal values” reflected in his story.
Djokovic returns to the US Open in New York City seeking a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. He will face Mariano Navone in the first round on Sunday, August 30.
Meanwhile, Williams has received a wild card to compete in the women’s doubles tournament alongside her sister, Venus Williams.
Source: jang.com.pk
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How Venus Williams Met Her Love Match, Andrea Preti
Venus Williams has yet to move away from tennis.
The 46-year-old has taken breaks from the sport, some related to health and injuries, but others to live her life away from competition—such as when she married an actor-director…
Source: www.eonline.com
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US Open 2026: Why Does Venus Williams Receive So Many Wildcards?
Most tournaments prioritise their own national players when awarding wildcards, but places are also offered to players likely to bring commercial value to an event. Hale also refers to agreements as ‘trades’ with other national federations or agencies such as IMG, which manages players and, until recently, also owned the Miami and Madrid Opens.
The clearest example of a ‘trade’ is the reciprocal wildcard agreement between the USTA, Tennis Australia and the French Tennis Federation. Each of the three Grand Slam nations offers one men’s and one women’s wildcard to the other two, ensuring that two of their players benefit when their counterparts host the tournament.
Changing wildcard rules for past champions
The Open Golf Championship has reduced opportunities for former champions to return. Twenty years ago, champions under 65 could play whenever they wished. Now, winners can return only until they are 55, potentially opening places in the field for younger, higher-ranked professionals.
Golfers can remain competitive for much longer, but tennis has no equivalent age limit. Martina Navratilova received wildcards for both the 2004 French Open and Wimbledon when she returned to the sport at 47, winning a round on the grass.
“You never want to put a player out there that you are unsure about,” said Hale, who believes Williams is still capable of winning matches.
“Venus lost 6-4 6-1 to Kamilla Rakhimova, and the first set was really competitive. She’s still competitive, but just not winning these matches.”
Should Venus Williams face a wildcard limit?
The question is whether there should be a point when a tournament director gives a wildcard to a higher-ranked player seeking to advance their career.
“When the time comes that Venus is not competitive in sets, then I think she will make that call,” Hale responded.
“Venus and Serena have done so much for women’s tennis and the sport that they should be able to play as long as they want.”
“I’m very happy they are continuing and they make their decision when they are ready, or each tournament makes their decision when they are ready.”
British number one Katie Boulter expressed a similar view after partnering the “absolute icon” in the Madrid doubles in April.
“Venus has given so much to our sport that she deserves to get what she needs back,” she said then.
“We have to be grateful that she is still out there, doing the best she can.”