Williams sisters lose US Open doubles, skip media

Serena and Venus Williams concluded their return to the US Open doubles circuit on Friday night, September 4, 2026, with a first-round defeat and subsequent absence from the mandatory post-match press conference. The legendary sisters, playing together at the US Open for the first time since 2022, were defeated by the pair of HaoChing Chan and Maya Joint in a hard-fought three-set match on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match, which lasted over three hours, saw the Williams sisters battle back from a deficit in the deciding set, holding a commanding 5-0 lead. However, they ultimately faltered, losing 10 of the final 12 points to fall 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(7). This marked their first US Open doubles appearance since 2022, and their defeat came after receiving a wildcard entry into the tournament. Following their loss, both Serena and Venus Williams did not appear for their scheduled post-match press conference. Under Grand Slam rules, players are obligated to speak with the media after a match, with potential fines of up to $50,000 for each player for non-compliance, unless a valid reason such as injury is provided. The US Open confirmed that neither sister would be fined.