Venus and SERENA to play doubles at the Australian Open

TENNIS fans can expect a double dose of action from the most high-profile siblings in world sport after Venus and Serena Williams today confirmed their intention to play doubles at next year's Australian Open.The Williams sisters have not played doubles at Melbourne Park since they won the coveted title for the second time in three years in 2003. The pair played their first doubles match together in four years at Wimbledon this year before withdrawing in the second round because of injury. They haven't returned to the court together since. Because injuries have kept them off the doubles court for so long they now only have a nominal ranking of 9999. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said he was thrilled to hear of their intention to play doubles.

“The Williams sisters in full flight on the same side of the net is one of the great sights in tennis,” Tiley said. “They are also one of the most skilled pairings on the world circuit with an incredibly successful record in doubles.” The Williams sisters are one of only five pairings in women's tennis history to win a career doubles grand slam. In all, they have won six majors (Wimbledon and Australian Open twice, US and French) and an Olympic gold medal in Sydney in 2000. “It is great news for Australian tennis fans that they are coming here to play singles and to try and recapture their doubles crown,” Tiley said. “We can't get enough of the Williams sisters, especially after Serena's amazing effort in 2007,” Tiley said.