Serena Williams is opening up about how she plans to experience the U.S. Open this year — not as a player, but as a spectator, according to E! News.
In an exclusive interview, Williams said attending the tournament as a fan is “way different” from competing, adding that she can relax in the suites and enjoy the matches in a new way. She also noted that she never really knew what went on in those suites when she was playing.
The tennis great has a long history at Flushing Meadows, where she made her main-draw debut in 1998 at age 16 and later won six singles titles, two doubles titles with Venus Williams and one mixed doubles title with Max Mirnyi. Her most recent appearance at the event was in 2022 before she stepped back from the sport.
For this year’s tournament, Williams is partnering with Heineken 0.0 to reactivate ticket stubs from some of her past matches and turn them into VIP passes for the 2026 U.S. Open. She said the project feels humbling and is a reminder that sports are about memories as well as victories.
Williams also reflected on her favorite on-court memories, saying they often involve the outfits. She said fashion gives athletes a way to show more of their personality beyond a uniform.
