Williams sisters’ return to play doubles at the US Open helps ESPN to an increase in viewers
NEW YORK — 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 9 to 9:15 p.m. CDT, with Serena and Venus losing in a match tiebreaker to Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint.
Friday's coverage was a 17% increase from last year, with another average of 1.1 million on ESPN2 on Saturday a 37% jump from last year.
The tournament averaged 846,000 viewers through the third round, the most viewed since 2022.
Venus, left, and Serena Williams, of the United States, acknowledge the fans after losing a women's doubles match against Hao-Ching Chan, of Taiwan, and Maya Joint, at the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)