Serena and Venus Williams' long-awaited return to Grand Slam doubles competition ended in disappointment on the opening day of the 2026 US Open. The American pair fell to Maya Joint and Chan Hao-ching 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(7) in the first round of women's doubles, despite mounting a spirited comeback that brought them to the brink of victory across three hours at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The sisters had received a wild card into the 2026 US Open women's doubles draw from the USTA, marking their first Grand Slam doubles appearance together in four years. The match represented far more than a routine opening-round contest; it symbolised a significant moment in tennis history as two of the sport's greatest champions reunited on one of its biggest stages.
The Williams sisters clawed back from a 1-4 deficit in the final set, establishing a commanding 5-0 lead in the third-set tie-break. Victory appeared within reach as they pressed for the breakthrough, yet Joint and Chan regrouped in the decisive moments. The Australian-Taiwanese pairing, seeded 14th in the draw, absorbed the Williams sisters' attacking play and executed crucial net points to secure the win.
How did the match unfold?
The opening set saw Joint and Chan establish control, breaking serve multiple times to claim the first frame 6-3. The second set proved far more competitive, with both teams trading breaks and forcing a tie-break. The Williams sisters pushed hard in that tie-break but fell just short, losing 7-6(6) to leave themselves facing an uphill battle.
Trailing in the third set, the sisters mounted their comeback. After finding themselves down 1-4, they reeled off four consecutive games to take a 5-4 lead. The momentum appeared to have shifted decisively in their favour. However, Joint and Chan levelled at 5-5, forcing the match into a final tie-break where the pressure ultimately told on the Williams sisters.
Serena, 44 years old, had opted out of competing in singles at this year's US Open following her return to professional tennis at Wimbledon in July. Venus, 46, had also chosen not to pursue a singles entry. For both players, this doubles partnership represented their sole focus at Flushing Meadows, underscoring how significant this reunion had become to them and to the tennis world.
What was the significance of this match?
The Williams sisters are two-time US Open women's doubles champions, and the event was billed as their return as a team after their 2022 appearance in New York. That 2022 tournament was widely regarded as Serena's final professional appearance, making this comeback unexpected and emotionally charged for fans worldwide.
The pair's history at this venue spans three decades. Venus made her breakthrough run to the US Open final at age 17 in 1997, losing to Martina Hingis. Serena won her first Grand Slam title here at 17 in 1999, defeating Hingis. Venus followed by capturing her first US Open singles title the following year. In 2001, the sisters became the first pair of siblings in history to face each other in a Grand Slam final at this same tournament.
This doubles appearance carried profound meaning beyond the scoreline. Serena has repeatedly emphasised that her comeback differs fundamentally from the rest of her career, when she expected to win every tournament she entered. Instead, she has stressed that this return is about enjoyment and showing her daughters, Olympia and Adira, the world she inhabited during her playing years. The competitive fire remained evident throughout the match, but the outcome mattered less than the opportunity to compete alongside her sister.
How did the players perform individually?
Venus emerged as the more consistent performer throughout the three-hour contest, frequently appearing as the strongest player on court. However, her inability to convert key volleying opportunities in crucial moments proved costly as the match progressed.
Serena struggled with her serve, a stark contrast to her performance just days earlier when she had struck serves exceeding 120 miles per hour on pressure points. By the final set, she had resorted to rolling in her first serve, and her return game similarly faltered. The four-year gap since her last competitive doubles appearance remained visible in her execution, though her competitive spirit and determination never wavered.
Joint, a top-30 doubles player, and Chan, a former world No. 5 and Wimbledon finalist, proved a formidable pairing. Though occasionally overwhelmed by the intensity of the crowd and the Williams sisters' indefatigable resistance, they handled the decisive moments with composure, particularly in the final tie-break where they absorbed the initial Williams assault and tidied up around the net.
What happens next for the Williams sisters?
Neither player offered any indication following the match whether this might represent their final appearance together. They departed the court discreetly and declined to conduct a post-match press conference, leaving their future plans uncertain.
The 2026 US Open women's doubles tournament continues with the second round scheduled for 5-6 September, followed by the quarter-finals on 7-8 September and the final on 11 September. The Williams sisters will not advance to those rounds, but their presence at this year's tournament has already provided the tennis world with memorable moments and a reminder of their enduring passion for competition.
Despite compiling a 1-4 record in singles and women's doubles since her return, Serena has expressed satisfaction with her comeback journey. The opportunity to feel her competitive spirit again, to hear her own roar on court, and to experience the arena that has defined so much of her life has fulfilled her stated objectives. The 23,000-strong crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium witnessed two champions who, though they did not leave with victory, demonstrated the unending passion and love for tennis that has shaped their lives across more than three decades of professional play.
