Next stop, Toronto: Serena Williams enters National Bank Open

The three-time former champion is joined by world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, four-time major winner Naomi Osaka and home favorite Bianca Andreescu, who hoisted the trophy the last time the event was staged at Sobeys Stadium.

ByTENNIS.com

Published Jul 14, 2022

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After returning in late June at a pair of grass-court events, Serena Williams will continue competing on the WTA Tour next month in Toronto.

On Thursday, National Bank Open organizers announced that the 23-time major champion is among the players slated to appear at the WTA 1000 event. Williams is a three-time former winner and reached the final on her most recent trip in 2019.

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She’s baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

That’s right, our 3-time champion @serenawilliams returns to Toronto. And she likes playing here, she’s reached the semis of better the last five times she’s played. #NBO22 pic.twitter.com/3OzZsEnBIP
— National Bank Open (@NBOtoronto) July 14, 2022

That year, she was forced to retire in the first set with a back injury against Bianca Andreescu. The then teenager went on to defeat Williams at the 2019 US Open in becoming Canada's first major singles titlist. Ranked outside the Top 50, Andreescu has received a wild card into this year’s edition of her home tournament.

The tour’s Top 30 players, led by world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, are all in the field. The lineup also boasts four-time major winner Naomi Osaka and 2020 Australian Open titlist Sofia Kenin, who like Williams, used a protected ranking to gain entry.