Serena Williams's 2026 US Open doubles un ended Friday with a first-round loss and collapsed tiebreaker. She and sister Venus Williams fell to Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (10-7) at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The match marked the first time the duo had stepped onto a Grand Slam court together in four years.
Venus & Serena Williams US Open Exit Hints at More to Come
The sisters trailed 4-1 in the third set before fighting back to force a tiebreaker. They then built a 5-0 lead, only for Chan and Joint to erase it on a 10-2 run that ended the night.
But Serena sounded ready for more, despite the night's result. Before the match, she told ESPN she'll "probably" return to singles at the tournament, adding that she wants her daughters to see her compete at a high level.
That drive brought the 44-year-old back to Flushing Meadows on a wildcard alongside Venus, 46, who's been on the WTA Tour all year. The evening crowd inside Ashe seemed to appreciate the reunion, cheering on the sisters as they attempted their first-round comeback.
Together, both Serena and Venus own 14 Grand Slam doubles titles.
Still, the 2026 US Open appearance felt less about adding to the collection and more about what's ahead, particularly for Serena, whose singles plans remain uncertain after a Wimbledon injury sidelined her from further competing individually this summer.
