Williams Sisters Fall in Thrilling US Open Doubles Debut

Key points

• Serena and Venus Williams lost to Maya Joint and Hao-Ching Chan in the first round of women’s doubles at the 2026 US Open.
• The match ended 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (10-7), with the sisters losing a 10-point match tiebreaker after leading 5-0.
• This was the sisters’ first US Open doubles appearance since 2022, marking their 10th overall at the tournament.
• Serena Williams, 44, returned to tennis this year after a four-year hiatus, while Venus Williams, 46, has continued playing on tour.
• The Williams sisters had previously lost to Joint at Wimbledon this summer and withdrew from a doubles match due to Serena’s knee injury.
• The match was held in Arthur Ashe Stadium, a rare night session slot for a first-round doubles match, highlighting the sisters’ star power.

Background

The Williams sisters’ return to the US Open doubles draw was anticipated as part of Serena’s comeback from a four-year hiatus. They had previously competed in mixed doubles with Carlos Alcaraz at the 2026 US Open, winning the first round before being eliminated in the quarterfinals. Their last US Open doubles appearance was in 2022, and they have won the tournament twice (1999, 2009) with a 27-8 record in 10 appearances. The sisters have 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and Olympic gold medals together.

How outlets are covering it

The US Open official site emphasized the sisters’ coordinated white outfits and pink bags, focusing on their visual presence and the spectacle of their return. CNN, citing the Associated Press, highlighted the competitive drama of the match, noting the sisters’ comeback from 4-1 down in the third set and their subsequent loss in the tiebreaker. CNN also noted that the USTA did not make the sisters available for comment after the loss. The ABC News source was unavailable, providing no additional perspective. The contrast lies between the celebratory, fashion-focused narrative of the official site and the competitive, result-oriented narrative of CNN.

Why it matters

The loss underscores the challenges faced by veteran players returning to Grand Slam competition after long absences. For Serena, it is her second consecutive match tiebreaker loss this summer, following a similar defeat at the Cincinnati Open. The result also highlights the shifting dynamics in women’s doubles, where the Williams sisters, once dominant, now face stiff competition from younger players like Joint and Chan. The match’s placement in Arthur Ashe Stadium signals the continued cultural significance of the Williams sisters, even as their competitive results have become less consistent.

What to watch

The Williams sisters are eliminated from the 2026 US Open women’s doubles draw. Serena and Venus will not be available for comment, according to the USTA. The tournament continues with other matches, including Aryna Sabalenka’s victory over Kamilla Rakhimova and Carlos Alcaraz’s win against Wu Yibing. The sisters’ next competitive appearance is uncertain, as Serena has been managing a knee injury and Venus continues to play on tour.