Williams sisters’ U.S. Open comeback ends in first-round defeat
Serena and Venus Williams' U.S. Open doubles comeback concluded with a first-round defeat to Australia's Maya Joint and Taiwan's Chan Hao-Ching, four years after their presumed final bow. Despite the loss, the match at Arthur Ashe Stadium was a celebrated event, drawing 23,000 fans who cheered the legendary sisters.
Why it matters
This match was a significant and emotional moment for tennis fans, celebrating the enduring legacy of two of the sport's greatest athletes, even in defeat.
Four years after what seemed like their final bow, Serena Williams and Venus Williams transformed a first-round U.S. Open doubles defeat into a celebration of tennis in front of 23,000 adoring fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday (September 4, 2026).
Australia's Maya Joint and Taiwan's Chan Hao-Ching emerged with a 6-3 6-7(6) 7-6(10-7) win, but for much of the contest the score felt irrelevant as fans roared at every Williams winner and fell into virtual silence at every point in between.
Serena Williams, 44, walked onto court wearing a shiny customized bomber jacket decorated with patches marking her U.S. Open singles and doubles triumphs. Her 46-year-old sister stood alongside, the pair carrying matching pink bags.
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