(Picture: Christopher Polk/Selection through Getty Photos)
by Edwian Stokes
July 9, 2026
Serena Williams plans to return for the upcoming U.S. hard-court season
Serena Williams plans to return for the upcoming U.S. hard-court season earlier than the US Open whereas managing her companies. Williams, 44, injured her proper knee throughout her opening-round singles loss to Maya Joint at Wimbledon. She withdrew from doubles together with her sister, Venus Williams. Her crew confirmed she doesn’t plan to retire.
“Her ideas are to try to preserve going,” Williams’ coach, Rennae Stubbs, informed reporters at Wimbledon. “She’s acquired lots of issues to contemplate, her household, her companies. However her purpose is to maintain going.” In an announcement on social media, Williams shared, “I really feel a duty to point out my daughter and younger athletes in all places that setbacks could be overcome.”
In keeping with Tennis365, Williams is getting ready a full singles schedule for the US Open beginning Aug. 23. She might search wildcard entries at WTA 1000 occasions such because the Canadian Open in Toronto and the Cincinnati Open.
Williams’ profession holds important cultural and financial significance for the African American group. As some of the profitable Black athletes, she has damaged limitations in a historically white-dominated sport. Her presence challenges narratives about growing older, motherhood, and athletic longevity for Black girls. Past her achievements, Williams mentors younger athletes by way of packages just like the Yetunde Value Useful resource Heart and funds scholarships for underrepresented college students. She additionally makes use of her place to advocate for racial and gender equality, motivating the subsequent era to pursue their targets on and off the courtroom.
Williams has turned her athletic success into monetary energy by way of Serena Ventures, her enterprise capital agency investing in founders from various backgrounds. Serena Ventures has backed firms like MasterClass, Unattainable Meals, and Andela, supporting trailblazing leaders and driving change throughout industries. Her management in sports activities and enterprise presents a mannequin for financial empowerment and company management throughout the Black group.
Some tennis analysts query the feasibility of her plans. On his podcast, former British No. 1 Greg Rusedski mentioned Williams’ targets could also be too bold given her restricted latest play.
“I’d be very stunned if she tries to go play in America on the onerous courts as a result of it’s way more tough to undergo the gamers on the onerous courts,” Rusedski mentioned, noting that the floor requires robust motion and exact shot accuracy.
Stubbs famous onerous courts provide a extra secure footing for Williams’ knee than grass, and it’s the floor on which she has been most profitable. She gained 13 of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles on onerous courts.
Williams addressed her well being on Instagram, sharing updates on her rehabilitation. “The excellent news is my knee shouldn’t swell or gather that a lot fluid once more,” she wrote. She expressed disappointment about lacking Wimbledon doubles however stays constructive about her restoration.
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In keeping with Folks, medical doctors are monitoring her progress. If her rehabilitation proceeds as deliberate, Williams intends to associate with Venus Williams within the US Open doubles draw.
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