Serena Williams and her sister Venus experienced a disappointing start to their campaign at the US Open, losing their first-round doubles match to Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint. The defeat took place at the prestigious Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York on Friday, 4 September 2026. While the pair showcased their talents, the match concluded with the sisters unable to secure a victory.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/serena-williams-2-f7fca2fc69e24c5b912d1c33d65d4b3e.jpg)
Following their defeat, a noteworthy incident occurred as Serena reportedly departed the scene promptly, leaving Venus behind. Ben Rothenberg, a reporter for Bounces, reported that Serena “fled the scene as fast as she could.” Both athletes are normally expected to attend post-match press conferences when summoned by the media, in accordance with Grand Slam regulations. However, neither sister participated in the obligatory media interactions following their loss.
Despite the unusual circumstances, it has been disclosed that neither Serena nor Venus will face fines for their absence from the press obligations. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) confirmed this to Rothenberg, indicating that the decision on fines lies within the discretion of the officials.
After the match, while Serena quickly made her exit in a private vehicle, Venus remained at the venue, heading towards the locker room with the intention of addressing the media. Reports indicate that Venus was anticipating an opportunity to speak, as it is permitted for one player in a doubles team to fulfil media responsibilities. However, she ultimately chose not to proceed without her sister.
Soon after the match concluded, the USTA relayed to credentialed media that the Williams sisters would not be available to answer questions that evening. This communication likely stemmed from the unconventional circumstances surrounding their departure.
Earlier that day, prior to their doubles match, Serena had participated in mixed doubles with Carlos Alcaraz, where the pair triumphed over Lloyd Glasspool and Erin Routliffe. Nevertheless, they were subsequently eliminated in the quarterfinals by opponents Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli. Serena had engaged with the media after this earlier match and expressed her surprise at her return to the court: “I never expected to be back on this court,” she remarked, adding that being there was a “really cool moment.”
In an interview with PEOPLE earlier in the month, Serena discussed her return to competitive tennis. “I really don’t have an agenda right now. I’m taking it one match at a time and seeing where my body can take me,” she shared. She conveyed a sense of excitement about her journey back into the sport, stating, “It’s been exciting to see what I’m capable of and to feel myself getting stronger. Right now, I’m just enjoying being back out there and seeing where it goes.”
For both Serena and Venus Williams, the occasion marked their first doubles match together since 2022, unveiling a poignant moment in their storied careers. As they continue to navigate the challenges of competitive tennis, fans will undoubtedly watch with interest to see how the duo will respond following this initial setback.
With the tournament still underway, tennis enthusiasts are left wondering if the Williams sisters will have another opportunity to compete together in a future event, and how they might bounce back from this disappointing performance.