Serena Williams is setting her sights on a potential return to competitive tennis at the upcoming US Open, according to her coach. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion has expressed a desire to secure a wildcard entry for the prestigious tournament next month in New York.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/serena-williams-wimbledon-2026-070826-255a107033624b90a2d0745ebc254a9c.jpg)
This announcement follows a disappointing showing at Wimbledon, where Williams’ journey was abruptly halted due to a knee injury. The veteran player faced early elimination in the first round and was subsequently forced to withdraw from a highly anticipated doubles match alongside her sister, Venus Williams.
Rennae Stubbs, one of Williams’ coaches, provided insights on her current condition during a press conference at Wimbledon. On July 7, Stubbs stated, “Her intention is to keep playing; the US Open as well. As long as physically she can manage it — and I’m optimistic that in a few weeks, that will be the case — we’ll see her back on the court.”
The knee injury that hampered Williams’ performance occurred during her wild-card match against Australia’s Maya Joint. Despite sustaining the injury at the end of the first set, Williams showcased considerable determination, managing to take the match to a third set after winning a tiebreaker in the second.
After the match, Williams admitted to her coach that the injury had significantly impacted her performance. Stubbs relayed Williams’ remark: “I would have won if I had a good knee.” In the lead-up to Wimbledon, Williams had been in good form, reportedly winning practice sets against other players still competing in the tournament.
On July 4, hours before her scheduled doubles match at Wimbledon, Williams shared an emotional message on Instagram regarding her knee issue. “I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles,” she wrote. “Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside @venuswilliams once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could to be ready, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.”
Her post included images of syringes filled with fluid that medical staff had drained from her knee, further illustrating the seriousness of her condition.
Looking ahead, Williams is now focused on recuperating before possibly entering US Open warm-up tournaments in Cincinnati and Toronto. Stubbs confirmed that Williams is eager to participate in some matches before the US Open, although her physical condition will ultimately dictate her ability to do so.
As Williams herself conveyed in her Instagram update, “All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you.” This comment has left fans hopeful that they may soon witness the tennis great back in action, despite the challenges she has faced recently.
The tennis community will undoubtedly be watching closely as Williams prepares for a potential return, eagerly anticipating any news regarding her participation in the upcoming tournaments. In the meantime, the focus remains on recovery and preparation for what could be a significant chapter in her storied career.