Venus Williams indicates she would like to play doubles with Coco Gauff again and believes this time they would probably do better than they did the first time.
After famously upsetting her idol at 2019 Wimbledon, Gauff got a chance to share the same side of the net with Williams at the 2021 French Open. In what was their team debut, the American pair drew a tricky first-round matchup – and although they competed well and went up by a set – they couldn't beat doubles specialists Ellen Perez and Zhang Shuai, losing 6-7 (5) 6-4 6-3.
For this week's ATX Open in Austin, Williams received a singles main draw wildcard and she is also playing in doubles with fellow American Peyton Stearns. Speaking with the media in Austin, the seven-time Grand Slam champion was asked if there was any young player she would like to team up with in the upcoming period.
Williams: I'd probably do well with Gauff if we played again
"I had a chance to play with Coco years ago now, but I think if we played again… I'm sure we both have more experience. She has more experience. We'd probably do well," the 45-year-old responded to the question.
Venus-Coco doubles reunion for Miami? 👀
I asked which young WTA star she’d want to team up with next in doubles and Williams mentioned Gauff after the two played together at RG ‘21.
She also spoke about her upcoming partnership with Peyton Stearns. pic.twitter.com/BjSjaIibFt
— Christian's Court (@christianscourt) February 24, 2026
Since ending her 16-month hiatus from the Tour last August, Williams has also played doubles four times. During the North American hard-court swing, the former world No. 1 reached the Washington quarterfinal with Hailey Baptiste before making the US Open semifinal with Leylah Fernandez.
In the first month of 2026, the 45-year-old paired up with Elina Svitolina in Auckland and Ekaterina Alexandrova at the Australian Open, both times losing in the first round.
After playing with Stearns in Austin, Williams will reunite with Fernandez for the Indian Wells doubles event.
