Will Serena Williams play at the Cincinnati Open? And at the US Open 2022?
Serena Williams is making a strong comeback this year as she prepares for more tournaments after announcing her return to the WTA 1000 in Toronto.
For the first time in a few years, Serena Williams will grace the Western & Southern Open with her presence. The 23-time Grand Slam champion is on the initial entry list for the US series in Cincinnati that will be played from Aug. 13-21, a combined ATP and WTA 1000-level event.
Williams, 40, last played at the Western & Southern Open in 2020, when it was held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center ahead of the US Open, due to the covid-19 pandemic. The last time the six-time US Open champion was seen on the courts of the Lindner Family Tennis Center was in her 2018 comeback after giving birth to her daughter, Olympia. And now Ohio fans are trying to get a grip on their excitement as their two-time champion in Cincinnati returns gracefully.
The Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati is considered a tune-up for the US Open, which takes place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Aug 29-Sep 11, and is also set for a thrilling final Grand Slam event. Williams is one of 19 Grand Slam champions and 11 former Cincinnati Open winners between the two tours who’ve signed up for the event this year.
Reigning US Open winner Emma Raducanu, Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, former champions Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu, as well as three-time US Open finalist Victoria Azarenka, are also in the player field.
Williams won back-to-back titles in Cincinnati (2014-2015), and in 2020, she made it to the round of 16 but Maria Sakkari got the best of her in an intense three-set contest.
Serena Williams to play at the 2022 US Open
The six-time US Open champion is also on the US Open entry list, entering with a protected injury ranking of No.16. Of the 104 players who have received direct entry into the season’s last major, Iga Swiatek sits at the top of the list. The world No.1 will be shooting for her second Grand Slam title of the year after sweeping Roland Garros in an impressive 37-match winning streak.
Along with Swiatek, Anett Kontaveit, Maria Sakkari, Paula Badosa and 2022 Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur are also at the top of the list. Jabeur is an exciting talent to continue looking out for.
During the span of her career, Williams has registered 106 wins from 120 matches at the hardcourt major at the US Open Championships. She won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any tennis player, female or male, since the foundation of the Open in 1968.