Williams Sisters Lose in Thrilling Return to US Open Doubles

Serena and Venus Williams’ emotional return to the US Open doubles draw ended in a dramatic first-round defeat on Friday night, as the legendary sisters fell 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (10-7) to Australia’s Maya Joint and Taiwan’s Chan Hao-ching in a match that captivated more than 23,000 fans.

Playing together at Flushing Meadows for the first time in four years, the 14-time Grand Slam doubles champions transformed Arthur Ashe Stadium into a celebration of one of tennis’s greatest partnerships. Although victory slipped away, the atmosphere often felt closer to a farewell tribute than a routine opening-round contest.

The Williams sisters made a sluggish start as Joint and Chan claimed the opening set, but Serena and Venus gradually rediscovered the chemistry that defined two decades of dominance. They fought back to edge the second set in a tense tiebreak, sending the crowd into a frenzy and forcing a deciding third set.

The final set delivered the night’s most unforgettable drama. After trailing 1-4, Serena and Venus mounted a remarkable comeback to level the match before racing into a 5-0 lead in the 10-point deciding tiebreak. Yet Joint and Chan refused to buckle, winning the next seven points and completing an extraordinary turnaround to seal one of the tournament’s biggest opening-round victories.

For Joint, the victory carried special significance. The young Australian described facing the Williams sisters as a dream fulfilled, admitting she grew up watching the pair dominate women’s tennis. Chan’s experience at the net also proved decisive as the duo maintained composure during the closing stages of the thriller.

Serena, 44, and Venus, 46, entered the tournament as wild cards after reuniting earlier this summer following Serena’s recovery from a knee injury. Together, they own 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, three Olympic gold medals and a legacy that helped redefine women’s doubles through power, athleticism and unmatched longevity.

Neither sister indicated whether the US Open marked their final appearance as a team, leaving fans with more questions than answers. But regardless of what comes next, their return reminded the tennis world that the Williams partnership remains one of the sport’s most enduring attractions.

The result may go down as a first-round loss, but its significance reached far beyond the scoreboard. For one unforgettable evening in New York, Serena and Venus reminded a new generation why their names remain synonymous with greatness, resilience and the enduring magic of tennis.