US Open: Czech duo apologise after beating Venus and Serena Williams

Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova were delighted to reach the second round of the US Open last night but were apologetic after defeating the Williams sisters.

Venus and Serena played their first match together since 2018 but were unable to recreate the form they are so famous for.

The 14-time Grand Slam doubles winners fell to the Czech duo 7-6, 6-4 in the first round at Flushing Meadows.

“I’m still in shock that we won,” said a stunned Hradecka, who then addressed the packed crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I’m so sorry for you that we beat them, but we are so happy that we did it.”

The 2022 US Open match against Hradecka and Noskova will likely be the last time fans will ever see the iconic Williams sisters play together.

Last month, Serena announced she would be “evolving away” from tennis to focus on the next chapter in her life.

The 40-year-old penned an emotional letter in Vogue, and while she admitted she is not a fan of the word “retirement,” confirmed the end of her career on court is very much in sight.

It seemed Flushing Meadows would be the final stop on her farewell tour but recent comments have hinted that there could be still be life in the 23-time Grand Slam winner.

When asked if she would consider playing at the Australian Open in January, she said: “You never know. I’ve learned in my career, never say never.”

Williams has been chasing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title for years now and has come agonisingly close on four occasions.

Margaret Court’s all-time record has been in sight since Williams won at the 2017 Australian Open but it is now quickly slipping away, unless she can produce the ultimate fairytale ending in New York this month.

Williams defeated world number two Anett Kontaveit in a