The Williams sisters' return to the US Open doubles court ended in a heartbreaker, but their post-match silence won't cost them a dime. The USTA has confirmed it will not fine Serena and Venus Williams for skipping their media obligations following Friday night's loss.
Playing together at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2022, the sisters fell 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (10-7) to Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint in a marathon match that had fans on the edge of their seats. The most painful part? Serena and Venus stormed out to a 5-0 lead in the final-set tiebreak before watching it slip away.
After the match, the duo opted to bypass the press room, leaving reporters and fans without a word. No injury was reported, and the reason for the no-show remains unclear. According to James Gray of The i Paper, the United States Tennis Association has decided not to issue any fine for the snub.
While the tournament is letting it slide, the court of public opinion has been less forgiving. Social media lit up with criticism, with one fan writing, "They've never been good sports, why would they change now? I'd love to know what Billie Jean King thinks about these no-shows from them. Very unprofessional after so many players before them did all the work."
Another commenter added, "Win and they wouldn't shut up... lose and it's unavailable." A third chimed in, "So not necessary for the tournament to invite them to compete. Did nothing for their legacy, nothing for the tournament and their fans moved on long ago."
The decision not to penalize the sisters comes amid criticism over their headline billing at Ashe, with some fans questioning whether their wildcard entry was warranted. The debate has only intensified after the early exit.
This isn't the first time Venus has faced scrutiny at the tournament. Her late-night start earlier in the week drew criticism from fans and analysts alike, and her 15th consecutive singles loss has fueled retirement speculation.
For now, the sisters haven't announced whether they'll compete again this season. Their legacy is secure, but this episode leaves a lingering question: should legends be held to the same media standards as everyone else, or does their stature earn them a pass?
