Venus Williams’ Doubles Partner Opens Up About Pairing Up With Her

When an up-and-coming talent has the opportunity to partner with a seasoned veteran in the game, it can be a transformative experience. This was precisely the case for Hailey Baptiste, a 23-year-old tennis player who recently had the chance to team up with the iconic Venus Williams. Williams, who made a comeback after more than a year, decided to participate in both singles and doubles at the Citi Open in Washington. Upon approaching Baptiste to be her doubles partner, the young player was understandably thrilled and honored to play alongside a legend like Williams.

Together, Baptiste and Williams managed to secure a victory in their first match against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue, only to be defeated by the second seeds, Taylor Townsend and Shuai Zhang, in their following match. Despite the loss, the experience proved invaluable for Baptiste, who had the rare opportunity to learn from a seven-time Grand Slam champion like Williams.

In a recent video conversation with Frances Tiafoe, Baptiste candidly admitted the pressure she felt playing with Williams, jokingly remarking, “Every ball I miss, I’m like, ‘She regrets playing with me.’” Her light-hearted comment underscored the privilege she felt in sharing the court with the tennis legend, even though their performance at the tournament fell short of expectations.

Adding to the intensity of the moment was the presence of NBA star Kevin Durant in the stands during their initial match. The pressure was on to impress the basketball great, but Baptiste managed to stay focused and deliver alongside Williams, ultimately claiming victory in their first outing together. Reflecting on the match, Baptiste recalled the crowd chanting “KD, KD,” reinforcing the high stakes and energy surrounding their doubles pairing.

Despite the challenges and pressures that came with playing alongside a seasoned veteran like Williams, Baptiste expressed gratitude for the experience and the opportunity to grow as a player. Her honest and humorous confession highlighted the mix of nerves and excitement that comes with competing at the highest level of the sport, especially alongside a tennis legend like Venus Williams.