Serena Williams opens up about returning to the US Open, teaming with Venus again, family life and the nutrition behind her comeback.
September 5, 2026
Serena Williams Is Back at the US Open
Serena Williams is once again making headlines at the US Open after returning to competitive tennis following a four-year break. The 23-time Grand Slam champion stepped back from the sport in 2022, making her latest appearance at Arthur Ashe Stadium an especially meaningful return to a place that has played a major role in her career.
Williams first won a Grand Slam title at the US Open in 1999 and went on to build much of her legacy at the tournament. This time, however, she is experiencing the event from a different stage of life, with her husband and daughters, Olympia and Adira, watching her compete.
Credit: Robert Prange
Her Daughters Are Seeing a New Side of Mom
Williams says having her daughters in the stands has made her return particularly special. Olympia grew up watching her mother compete, but now that she is older, she has developed a more active perspective on Williams’ matches and even offers her advice.
Three-year-old Adira is also now old enough to experience the atmosphere alongside her sister. For Williams, the opportunity to have both daughters watch her play creates memories she hopes they will carry with them long after her tennis career is over.
Venus Williams Is Back Beside Her
One of the most emotional parts of Williams’ return is the chance to compete alongside her sister Venus again. The sisters are set to play women’s doubles together at the US Open, marking their first appearance as a team at a major tournament since 2022.
For Serena, the partnership feels both familiar and meaningful. The sisters have played together since they were young, and returning to Arthur Ashe side by side brings back a connection that has existed throughout nearly their entire tennis lives.
There Is Still Nothing Like Playing With Venus
Serena has described playing alongside Venus as a uniquely familiar experience. After decades of competing together and against one another, the sisters have an understanding on court that comes from growing up in the sport together.
Their return also carries a sense of nostalgia for tennis fans who watched the pair become one of the most successful doubles teams in the history of the game. While Serena’s comeback is a new chapter, sharing the court with Venus gives that chapter a connection to where it all began.
Credit: Factor
Serena Is Taking a More Intentional Approach to Nutrition
Preparing for her return has also required Williams to rethink how she fuels her body. She partnered with Factor to create a series of ready-made meals designed around her approach to nutrition, emphasizing real ingredients, protein and simplicity.
The collaboration includes meals such as grilled filet mignon with creamy parmesan shrimp, blackened salmon with smoked gouda hash and miso chicken with edamame quinoa. Williams says making nutritious food easier to access fits into the broader way she is approaching training and recovery at this stage of her life.
She Opens Up About Using a GLP-1
Williams has also been candid about using a GLP-1 medication and says the experience has made her more deliberate about nutrition rather than changing her commitment to training. She has spoken publicly about the subject in part to challenge the stigma surrounding medications in the weight-management space.
She says she remains focused on consuming enough protein, eating real food and listening to her body’s needs. For Williams, the priority is not simply performance but feeling strong, energized and able to recover properly while balancing an active professional and family life.
The Competitive Instinct Returned Quickly
One thing that surprised Williams most about getting back on the court was how quickly her competitive mindset returned. The intensity that defined so much of her historic career was still there, even after years away from professional competition.
At the same time, she recognizes that her approach cannot simply be a replica of what it was earlier in her career. Williams says she is now more conscious of recovery, nutrition and the signals her body gives her, making this comeback fundamentally different from her earlier years.
Credit: NurPhoto
Her Return Has Included a New Doubles Partnership
Before reuniting with Venus, Williams also took part in mixed doubles with Carlos Alcaraz during the US Open. The collaboration gave fans another unexpected glimpse of Williams back in competition and paired her with one of the sport’s biggest current stars.
Williams praised Alcaraz for bringing energy and joy to the court while maintaining his competitive edge. She also joked about the advantage of having his speed on her side of the net, highlighting how much fun she appeared to be having with the unusual pairing.
A New Chapter for a Tennis Legend
Williams’ return to the US Open is about more than revisiting her record-breaking career. Her current run reflects a different balance between competition, motherhood, health and the freedom to choose how she wants to engage with the sport.
Whether she is playing alongside Venus, competing with a new partner or simply enjoying being back at Arthur Ashe, Williams appears to be embracing the experience on her own terms. After decades of setting the standard for women’s tennis, she now has the opportunity to experience the game from an entirely new perspective.
Final Thoughts
Serena Williams’ return to the US Open has brought together several defining parts of her life, from her relationship with tennis to her role as a mother and her bond with Venus. Playing alongside her sister again adds an especially meaningful element to a comeback that already carries plenty of history.
Her approach also shows how much has changed since her early years on the court. Williams is still intensely competitive, but she is now placing greater emphasis on nutrition, recovery, family and listening to her body as she steps into this new chapter.
FAQs
Why did Serena Williams return to the US Open?
Williams returned to competitive tennis after stepping away from the sport in 2022, making her latest US Open appearance a significant comeback.
Is Serena Williams playing doubles with Venus Williams?
Yes. Serena and Venus are set to reunite for women’s doubles at the US Open, marking their first major tournament together since 2022.
What has Serena Williams said about playing with Venus?
Williams has described playing with Venus as especially meaningful because the sisters have competed together since they were children.
What has Serena Williams said about GLP-1 medication?
Williams has said using a GLP-1 has not changed how seriously she takes training or nutrition and has made her more intentional about protein, food and recovery.
Who are Serena Williams’ children?
Serena Williams has two daughters, Olympia and Adira, who have been watching and supporting her during her return to the court.
Published by HOLR Magazine