Williams sisters lose on doubles return

Serena and Venus Williams made their return to the doubles court after a four-year hiatus, but their comeback at the Cincinnati Open ended in a thrilling defeat. The legendary American sisters fell 6-2, 1-6, 10-8 to the Ukrainian-American duo of Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns in a match that captivated the crowd.

The Williams sisters last competed together at the 2022 US Open, a tournament that also served as Serena's farewell to professional singles tennis. While Serena had a brief singles appearance at Wimbledon this year after a knee injury sidelined her planned doubles return with Venus, this marked her first match back in doubles.

Venus, who has been active in singles and doubles at recent hard-court events, expressed her satisfaction with their reunion. "We've waited a long time to get back on the doubles court. Eventually, we find our way to each other," she said. "We give each other so much grace and encouragement. This is our first time playing together in forever, and I think we’re really getting [into] our stride."

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We’ve waited a long time to get back on the doubles court. Eventually, we find our way to each other. We give each other so much grace and encouragement. This is our first time playing together in forever, and I think we’re really getting [into] our stride.