Return to Flushing Meadows

Serena and Venus Williams made their return to the US Open doubles court on Friday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium, four years after their last appearance at the tournament. The sisters, aged 44 and 46, were defeated 6-3, ⁶-⁷ (⁶),⁷-⁶ (¹⁰-⁷) by Hao-Ching Chan of Taiwan and Maya Joint of Australia in the first round. The match lasted just over three hours.

The Match

Joint and Chan, seeded 14th, took the opening set 6-3 before the Williams sisters fought back to force a second-set tie-break, which they won. In the deciding set, the sisters recovered from a 4-1 deficit to level the match and force a 10-point match tie-break. They raced to a 5-0 lead, but then lost 10 of the last 12 points as Joint and Chan rallied to seal the victory.

Both sisters double-faulted during the deciding tie-break, after having played what several reports described as brilliant tennis late in the third set. The Williams sisters finished with ²⁶ unforced errors, compared to 15 for their opponents.

Context and Background

Serena Williams returned to professional tennis this year at age 44, after stepping away from the sport following the 2022 US Open. Venus Williams, 46, has continued playing on the WTA Tour. The sisters had planned to play doubles together at Wimbledon earlier this summer, but withdrew after Serena suffered a knee injury during her singles match against Joint.

Serena had lost to Joint in three sets at Wimbledon in her singles return, making Friday's match her second defeat to the 20-year-old Australian this summer. Joint, who like Serena was born in Michigan, said after the match: "I'm lost for words to think that that happened. She's an idol of mine - both of them are."

The Williams sisters, who have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, including the US Open in 1999 and 2009, were making their first Grand Slam doubles appearance since 2022. They have a 27-8 record in 10 appearances at the US Open as a doubles team. They also won Olympic gold medals in women's doubles in 2000, ⁰²⁰⁰⁸, and ²⁰¹².

Post-Match

The US Open said in a statement that Serena and Venus Williams would not be available for press after the match. The sisters declined interview requests, as reported by several outlets.

Carlos Alcaraz, the defending men's champion, said earlier this week he planned to watch the doubles match while getting treatment: "I think there's no better plan than to watch the doubles, the Williamses once again, while getting a treatment."

ESPN commentator Caroline Wozniacki, a former world No. 1 and close friend of Serena, said she believes Serena wants to return to singles next year, citing concerns about her knee. "I don't. I think her knee is still not 100 per cent," Wozniacki said on ESPN.

Implications and Reactions

The loss marks the end of the Williams sisters' US Open campaign, which had generated significant attention after they received a wildcard for the women's doubles draw. Serena had earlier teamed with Carlos Alcaraz in mixed doubles at the tournament, reaching the quarter-finals. The sisters also played doubles together at the Cincinnati Open last month, losing in a first-round match tie-break.

Joint, who is 20 years old, said the atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium was "surreal" and that playing against the sisters was "super special." She added: "We expected a full stadium, everyone cheering for them, which, pretty much was that."