Williams Sisters US Open Return
Williams Sisters Fall to Joint and Chan in Epic US Open Doubles Return
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Key Points
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The Williams sisters’ early rust showed in the opening set: Joint and Chan secured two breaks of serve to take a 6-3 lead before the Americans raised their aggression and leveled the match in the second-set tiebreak.
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Maya Joint said the players expected a full stadium backing the Williams sisters, adding that the atmosphere was “super special” and unlikely to be replicated with many other players.
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The sisters’ failure to attend postmatch media obligations could theoretically have resulted in a fine of up to $50,000, although the report said tennis authorities were unlikely to punish them.
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The match marked Serena’s first Grand Slam appearance since she stepped away from professional tennis, while the sisters’ 14 major doubles titles include two US Open championships.
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Caroline Wozniacki said Serena’s doubles appearance may have served as preparation for a future singles return, but suggested Serena would first need to get her knee “100 per cent healthy.”
Serena and Venus Williams lost their US Open doubles return in a three-hour heartbreaker, falling 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (10-7) to 14th seeds Maya Joint and Chan Hao-ching. Playing together at a Grand Slam for the first time since 2022, the sisters surged to a 5-0 lead in the final-set tiebreak before Joint and Chan won 10 of the last 12 points to steal the match at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Yahoo News reported the sold-out crowd passionately backed the American icons, who have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together.
Serena's performance sparked talk of a potential singles comeback, though friend Caroline Wozniacki cautioned that she may need to fully heal her knee first. The sisters skipped postmatch media interviews—a move that could have drawn a fine of up to $50,000, though telegraph.co.uk noted tennis authorities were unlikely to punish them.
Early Rust Costs Sisters the Opening Set
Joint and Chan broke serve twice to claim the first set 6-3, exploiting the American sisters' opening-match shakiness. Egyptian Gazette noted the sisters raised their aggression in the second set, forcing the match into a tiebreak they won 8-6. The setback proved costly as the momentum shifted back to Joint and Chan in the decisive third set.
Williams Sisters Dominate Tiebreak Before Late Collapse
Trailing 4-1 in the deciding set, Serena and Venus stormed back to level the match and then built a commanding 5-0 lead in the match tiebreak. But Joint and Chan executed flawlessly down the stretch, reeling off 10 points in the final 12 to seal the 10-7 victory. ETV Bharat highlighted the three-hour battle that tested both pairs' endurance and mental toughness in the tiebreak's crucial moments.
Joint Praises Electric Atmosphere at Arthur Ashe
Maya Joint acknowledged the unique energy inside the packed stadium. Telegraph reported Joint said she expected a full crowd backing the Williams sisters and called the atmosphere "super special" and unlikely to happen with most other players. The roaring support underscored the Williams sisters' enduring star power and cultural impact on the sport.
Wozniacki Signals Serena May Need Time Before Singles Return
Serena's doubles appearance marked her first Grand Slam outing since stepping away from professional tennis. Caroline Wozniacki suggested the doubles match could serve as a stepping stone to a singles comeback but warned Serena must get her knee "100 per cent healthy" first. The injury has been a persistent obstacle, and rushing back could risk her long-term career.
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