Venus and Serena Williams are set to make a splash at the 2026 US Open, returning to the court together in the doubles draw as the tournament begins.
Why it matters: The Williams sisters have been a dominant force in tennis, and their return is generating excitement among fans. This marks their first doubles appearance in a Grand Slam since 2022.
Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, is back in the U.S. Open main draws after stepping away from tennis four years ago.
Venus Williams, now 46, received a wild card for the singles draw, aiming to win her first match of the year.
The sisters have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, including U.S. Open titles in 1999 and 2009.
Driving the news: The 146th US Open began on August 30, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, featuring 128 men and 128 women competing in the first round.
Play kicked off at 11:00 AM ET, with a packed schedule of 38 matches across various courts, including Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, is back after recovering from a right wrist injury and will face Roman Safiullin in his first singles match since April 14.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew due to a knee injury, leaving Alexander Zverev as the top seed.
The big picture: The Williams sisters' return is a highlight of the tournament, drawing attention to both their legacy and the current state of women's tennis.
Serena last played singles at Wimbledon in July 2026, where she lost in three sets after nearly four years away from competitive play.
They recently competed together at the Cincinnati Open, narrowly losing in a deciding 10-point tiebreak.
Fans are eager to see if the duo can recreate their past success on the Grand Slam stage.
What they're saying: The tennis community is buzzing about the sisters’ comeback.
“It’s incredible to see them back together again,” said a long-time fan at the U.S. Open.
Many players and commentators are expressing excitement, noting the unique energy the Williams sisters bring to the court.
By the numbers: The 2026 US Open features a mix of veteran players and newcomers.
Jack Kennedy, an 18-year-old from Huntington, is making his Grand Slam debut at this year's tournament.
Venus and Serena have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, solidifying their status as one of the most successful pairs in tennis history.
Alcaraz, currently ranked No. 3, is the betting favorite to win his third US Open title, having previously won in 2022 and 2025.
What's next: The Williams sisters are set to begin their doubles campaign on September 3, 2026.
The draw for the women’s doubles tournament will be revealed on September 1, adding to the anticipation surrounding their matches.
Fans will be closely watching how both Venus in singles and the sisters in doubles perform as the tournament progresses.
The excitement surrounding the 2026 US Open is amplified by the return of the Williams sisters, who continue to inspire a new generation of tennis players.