Leylah Fernandez issues apology to Serena Williams on social media after reaching the US Open quarterfinals

Leylah Fernandez is part of one of the biggest stories at the US Open this year, despite no longer being in the singles draw.

Fernandez is partnering Venus Williams in the US Open doubles event, and they have made a very successful start to their partnership.

With there being a 24 year difference in age, Williams has been offering advice to Fernandez and they have now reached the quarterfinals together.

Fernandez is Venus Williams’ 11th doubles partner, and she has now issued an apology to her younger sister, Serena.

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Leylah Fernandez apologises to Serena Williams on Instagram

Venus Williams is a 14-time Grand Slam champion in women’s doubles, but all of her titles have come alongside her now retired sister, Serena.

There was some speculation that Serena would return at the US Open this year, but instead 45-year-old Venus is partnering former singles finalist Fernandez.

This is the most successful partnership that Venus has had away from Serena, with their latest win over 12th seeds Ekaterina Alexandrova and Shuai Zhang booking them a place in the quarterfinals.

After reaching the last-eight of the US Open, Fernandez took to Instagram to celebrate their victory and send a tongue-in-cheek apology to Serena.

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“And just like that, we’re in the QUARTERS @venuswilliams,” wrote Fernandez. PS: I’m sorry I stole your partner @serenawilliams … she’s pretty awesome (wink emoji).”

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Fernandez’s Instagram post is not the first time that Serena has been mentioned at the US Open this year, with Venus being asked about her sister in the on-court interview.

Venus did not shy away from this question at all, and joked that she really needed Serena to be in the crowd for their next match.

“She’s so happy for Leylah and I,” said Venus. “She’s given us advice. And really we just need her in the [player] box. So my message is, ‘Serena, you need to show up’.”

The questions about Serena continued into the press conference, with Venus suggesting that although she wants her sister there it is probably not going to happen.

“If she came, it would be a dream for both of us, and we’d have her on the court coaching,” said Venus. “We’d force her to hit, even though she doesn’t hit often,” the elder Williams sister said in her press conference. It’s probably best she doesn’t come because we’d probably bully her!”

Venus Williams and Fernandez now have a huge test coming up in their upcoming quarterfinal match against the top seeds of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova.

Townsend has already suffered heartbreak at the US Open after a breakthrough run in singles, and she will be looking to show why she is the doubles world number one.

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