The Williams sisters open up after losing in Cincinnati: "This isn't going to last forever"

Venus Williams and Serena Williams shared the court again in a doubles match four years after their last appearance together, although the loss to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns in Cincinnati did not overshadow a night filled with symbolism. The Americans had waited a long time to reunite in competition, and although the result was not in their favor, both agreed that the real goal was to enjoy an experience that had seemed improbable.

“It was fun, it was special. It was really great to be able to do this again,” summarized Venus, already speaking in the past tense. The return came after a long process, especially for Serena, who admitted that her experience at Wimbledon was “a little traumatic.” The younger of the Williams sisters suffered a knee injury there that affected her return to competition and acknowledged that it took her nearly two hours to leave the locker room that night. “It has been a long recovery, something I never thought I would say because I never thought I would be sitting here talking to you again. But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” she explained.

Will the Williams sisters play together again?

Serena wanted to put the importance of the result into perspective. Although both went out to compete to do their best, victory was not the only goal of their return. “I think for us, winning is always great, but in this situation, the important thing was to have fun. I didn’t come here to win this tournament. Obviously, I wanted to do my best, but I think enjoying it, seeing how we are, how we feel out there, and being with the fans was also very important. It was really great to give them another chance to see us play,” she pointed out.

Venus, for her part, acknowledged that returning to a packed stadium with the competition atmosphere after so many years feels strange, though not exactly uncomfortable. “I wouldn’t say it was disconcerting, but it was strange because I’m not used to it. I’m used to having a different Monday night,” she explained. The older sister also emphasized that her approach to tennis remains virtually the same since those early sessions with their father in California: “The focus, the process, and the method are the same; I still find a lot of joy in the process.”

Serena even admitted that she now enjoys that journey more than during her previous career. “I never really enjoyed the process, but I think this time I am enjoying it more than ever. I also see it differently; I know this isn't going to last forever. I don’t play every week, and I have two daughters, so it’s different. It’s fun to know that this isn’t forever.” The connection between the two also doesn’t need much explanation, although Venus recalled that even as sisters, they must maintain constant communication on the court. Hopefully, there will always be space for one last dance between sisters.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Las Williams se sinceran tras caer en Cincinnati: “Esto no va a durar para siempre”