A living legend is heading back to Paris. Venus Williams, 45, is set to compete at the 2026 French Open for the first time since 2021, entering the women’s doubles draw alongside fellow American Hailey Baptiste. Baptiste is 21 years her junior.
The pair secured direct entry into the tournament based on their combined rankings. Williams will not compete in singles. The tournament runs May 24 through June 7 at Roland Garros in Paris.
The pairing is a generational one on paper, but Baptiste is no stranger to big moments. At the 2026 Mutua Madrid Open, Baptiste reached the semifinals of a WTA 1000 for the first time, defeating world No. 1 and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka after saving six match points. She made her Top 50 debut in 2025, peaking at a career-high ranking of No. 47, and reached the fourth round at last year’s French Open. The duo previously partnered at the 2025 DC Open.
For Williams, the return to clay carries significant historical weight. She lost the French Open singles final to her sister Serena in 2002 and together they won the doubles title in 1999 and 2010. Williams previously held the No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles.
Her comeback momentum has been building. At the Australian Open earlier this year, Williams received a wildcard and became the oldest woman ever to compete in an Australian Open singles main draw. Despite a first-round loss, she embraced the experience.
“It was such a great game, such a great moment. The energy from the crowd was amazing. That lifted me up so much,” Williams said. “She played a great game. Also some luck there, as well. That’s just the sport. That’s how it works sometimes. But it was an amazing moment.”
Now Roland Garros awaits — and with Baptiste’s momentum on clay, Williams may be bringing more than nostalgia to the red dirt.
