For the first time in four years, Serena Williams will take the court. The 23-time major champion is set to take part in the HSBC Championships —the first of at least two grass tournaments Williams will participate in over the next few weeks.
Some onlookers believe that tally will swell, with Wimbledon lurking on the horizon like a show.
Williams, 44, hasn’t competed since the 2022 U.S. Open. It’s unclear how long her return will last — she previously claimed that the 2022 U.S. Open would likely be her last match.
But plenty of eyes will follow her as she attempts to spray seeds across the the grass.
With that, here’s a look at Williams’ impending schedule during the summer months — and potentially beyond.
Stream: Watch Serena Williams’ return at HSBC Championships vis fubo (free trial)
Serena Williams schedule 2026
| Tournament | Start date | Location |
| HSBC Championships | June 8 | Queen’s Club, London |
| Berlin Open | June 15 | Steffi-Graf-Stadion, Berlin |
| Wimbledon* | June 29 | Wimbledon, London |
HSBC Championships
Williams will kick off her return tour with a trip to London Town, accepting a wild-card invitation to compete in doubles at the HSBC Championships. Williams will take to Queen’s Club for the tournament, partnering with 19-year-old Canadian supernova Victoria Mboko.
Williams and Mboko will kick off their tournament run with a matchup against Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe in the first round, which starts on June 8.
Berlin Open
Williams’ next test will then take her to Germany’s capital city for the Berlin Open. The cushioned surface of grass will greet her at the Steffi-Graf-Stadion, a venue she’s never traipsed upon during her career.
“Every tournament I add to my schedule right now feels special, and Berlin is no exception,” Williams said in a tournament press release. “I’m excited to compete in front of the German fans and continue building momentum throughout the grass-court season.”
Williams’ partner for the competition has yet to be confirmed. She appeared to insinuate that she’ll continue to trot onto grass in the summer, potentially opening the door for a Wimbledon return.
“I’m excited to compete in front of the German fans and continue building momentum throughout the grass-court season,” said in her statement.
Wimbledon
Williams hasn’t confirmed whether she plans on returning to Wimbledon in 2026. She remains one Grand Slam title short of Margaret Court’s singles record, having failed to touch a Grand Slam crown since before the birth of her first daughter in 2017.
With her appearances on grass in London and Berlin, some — including former World No. 1 Lindsay Davenport — believe Williams could be eyeing a trip back to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in mid-July.
“You have to think that she’s going to ease her way back into singles,” Davenport told ESPN. Then all of a sudden it’s game on again for the Grand Slam race. So I’m here for it.”
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Why is Serena Williams returning to tennis?
Williams hasn’t said much about a return to the sport. She was reluctant to use the word “retirement” after stepping away from tennis in 2022, instead opting for terms like “evolve” in her Vogue essay announcing her decision. Williams said her choice was driven by a desire to expand her family, not by a lack of interest in continuing her tennis career.
Williams also explained that gender played a role in her decision, lamenting the fact that she was forced to make such a choice. She noted that her male counterparts would never be placed in the same situation.
“If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family,” Williams said. “Maybe I’d be more of a Tom Brady if I had that opportunity. Don’t get me wrong: I love being a woman, and I loved every second of being pregnant with [oldest daughter] Olympia. … But I’m turning 41 this month, and something’s got to give.”
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In an interview with Nike, Williams said her return would hinge on more than just wins and losses.
“I just want to have fun,” Williams said. “I want to travel and I want to enjoy myself. I’ve always enjoyed tennis, but this time it’s from a different angle. Every time I watched a tournament, I missed it. I miss the atmosphere. I miss the court.”
Will Serena Williams play at Wimbledon?
Neither Williams nor Wimbledon has announced whether the 44-year-old will take part in the famed tournament at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. All signs appear to be pointing toward Williams competing in the event. Her return to grass seems to be timed with Wimbledon, which begins June 29.
Still, plenty of questions remain. Will she play singles or doubles? If she enters doubles, who will be her partner? Can she still compete at a high level?
Those questions will be answered in the coming weeks. For now, fans can look forward to seeing the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion do what she does best: rip shots into the corners of the court.
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