Williams sisters doubles return drives US Open viewership growth for ESPN
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 10, 2026, 1:03 AM
Last updated Sep 10, 2026
The U.S. Open recorded its highest viewer numbers through three rounds since 2022, fueled by the return of Serena Williams and Venus Williams to doubles competition. Coverage of the sisters' Friday night match drew an average of 1.1 million viewers across ESPN and ESPN2. The broadcast reached a peak of 2.2 million viewers between 10 and 10:15 p.m. EDT. During that match, Serena and Venus Williams fell to Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint in a match tiebreaker. Friday's total figures represented a 17% increase compared to the same period last year, while Saturday's coverage saw a 37% jump in viewership. Overall, the tournament has averaged 846,000 viewers through the first three rounds.
- •Average tournament viewership reached 846,000 through the third round.
- •Friday night coverage peaked at 2.2 million viewers.
- •Serena and Venus Williams lost to Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint.
- •Saturday viewership increased 37% compared to the previous year.
- •The 2026 U.S. Open viewership is the highest since 2022.
- 1:46 AMESPN Tennis — Helped by Williams sisters, ESPN sees largest US Open viewership since '22
- 12:22 AMYahoo Sports — Williams sisters' return to play doubles at the US Open helps ESPN to an increase in viewers
"Helped by Serena and Venus Williams playing doubles again, ESPN had its largest viewership through three rounds of the U.S. Open since the younger sister last competed in 2022. The network said Wednesday that its coverage Friday, which featured the Williams sisters playing at night, averaged 1.1 million viewers on ESPN and ESPN2. It peaked at 2.2 million from 10 to 10:15 p.m. EDT, with Serena and Venus losing in a match tiebreaker to Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint.
"Helped by Serena and Venus Williams playing doubles again, ESPN had its largest viewership through three rounds of the US Open since the younger sister last competed in 2022.
Sources
External links- ESPN TennisSep 10, 2026, 1:46 AMHelped by Williams sisters, ESPN sees largest US Open viewership since '22
Helped by Serena and Venus Williams playing doubles again, ESPN had its largest viewership through three rounds of the US Open since the younger sister last competed in 2022.
- Yahoo SportsSep 10, 2026, 12:22 AMWilliams sisters' return to play doubles at the US Open helps ESPN to an increase in viewers
Helped by Serena and Venus Williams playing doubles again, ESPN had its largest viewership through three rounds of the U.S. Open since the younger sister last competed in 2022. The network said Wednesday that its coverage Friday, which featured the Williams sisters playing at night, averaged 1.1 million viewers on ESPN and ESPN2. It peaked at 2.2 million from 10 to 10:15 p.m. EDT, with Serena and Venus losing in a match tiebreaker to Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint.
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