Serena and Venus Williams were eliminated in the opening round of the US Open women's doubles by the pairing of Maya Joint and Chan Hao-Ching, in a match that stretched to three grueling sets and more than three hours of tennis. The veteran sisters fought back from a set down to force a decisive third‑set tiebreak, even erasing a 5‑0 advantage in that tiebreak before ultimately succumbing 6‑3, 6‑7 (8‑6), 7‑6 (10‑7). This encounter marked the first Grand Slam tournament the Williams duo had entered together since the 2022 US Open, a full 27 years after they first captured the title as a team.
The match carried the weight of a storied partnership that includes 14 Grand Slam doubles crowns, two US Open victories, three Olympic gold medals, and an additional 30 Grand Slam singles titles between the two sisters. Serena later revealed that the decision to mount a comeback in the third set was inspired by a suggestion from her daughter, underscoring the personal stakes that accompanied the professional rivalry.
Maya Joint, a 20‑year‑old Australian who had earlier in the week defeated Serena on Centre Court at Wimbledon, found herself facing the Williams sisters in front of a crowd of roughly 23,000 spectators at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night. Joint expressed awe at the opportunity, saying, "Being able to play against such legends of the game is super special.
I'm lost for words to think of it. She's my idol, both of them. I grew up in Michigan so I always looked up to them.
Being able to play them twice is amazing." The match itself was a showcase of the Williams sisters' enduring talent despite their ages—Serena at 44 and Venus at 46. Their presence on the court was celebrated with cheers that rose to the rafters, a fitting tribute to two of the sport's most iconic figures.
Throughout the encounter, the sisters displayed moments of their former brilliance: a sharp volley from Venus that was answered by a powerful forehand winner from Serena, and a series of aggressive serves that reminded fans why they have dominated tennis for more than two decades. However, the first set slipped away after Serena's serve was broken twice. Although her service game had looked solid during Wimbledon and in a mixed‑doubles match with Carlos Alcaraz the previous week, the pressure of the US Open proved decisive.
The Williams pair rallied in the second set, saving a set point and eventually taking the set in a tiebreak after a Joint overhead floated long at a crucial moment. The third set was a historic one for the sisters. It was the first time they had reached 5‑5 in a deciding set since 2001, and the tension was palpable. They surged ahead to a 5‑0 lead in the final tiebreak, only to see it evaporate as Joint and Chan mounted a remarkable comeback, ultimately clinching the match with a decisive volley from Chan at 10‑7.
The defeat was a sobering reminder that even legends can be undone by youthful vigor and relentless determination. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) confirmed that the Williams sisters would not be available for comment after the loss. Meanwhile, speculation about Serena's future continues to swirl. ESPN analyst Caroline Wozniacki suggested that Serena may be planning a return to singles competition next year, a prospect that excites many fans who hope to see her back on the main draw.
Other notable results from the same day included a resurgence for Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas, who rebounded from a first‑set loss to defeat 18th‑seeded Czech Jiri Lehecka 2‑6, 6‑1, 7‑6 (7‑3), 6‑1, securing his first appearance in the fourth round of a Grand Slam. American 11th seed Frances Tiafoe also advanced, dispatching Valentin Vacherot of Monaco in straight sets, 6‑4, 6‑2, 6‑4. In the men's draw, 2023 US Open semifinalist Ben Shelton set up a potential showdown with Tsitsipas after a four‑set victory over Denis Shapovalov.
Shelton, despite committing a number of unforced errors, prevailed 7‑6 (3), 6‑7 (5), 6‑3, 6‑4 in a match that lasted three hours and 23 minutes, even delivering a blistering 147 mph serve at one point. The 23‑year‑old American will meet the Greek on Sunday. The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports beginning August 30, with streaming options available through NOW and the Sky Sports app for viewers without a contract. Fans can also catch the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also televised on Sky Sports.
Overall, the Williams sisters' early exit serves as a poignant chapter in a career that has spanned more than three decades, highlighting both the relentless passage of time and the emergence of new talent ready to challenge the established order. Their legacy remains intact, and the tennis world will be watching closely to see what the future holds for both Serena and Venus, whether it involves a return to singles, further doubles appearances, or a graceful retirement from competitive play.