Venus Williams confirmed on July 20, 2026 that she will compete at the Mubadala DC Open from July 27‑August 2 and then head to the National Bank Open in Toronto starting August 2, extending her hard‑court swing with two WTA 500 events.
What events is Venus entering?
Williams will line up for the Mubadala DC Open, a WTA 500 tournament in Washington, D.C., where she made a surprise return last year. The following week she receives a wild‑card into the National Bank Open, the Canadian Masters‑1000 that alternates between Toronto and Montreal. Both tournaments sit in the lead‑up to the US Open, giving her a chance to test form against the season’s top players.
Why is this comeback notable?
The 45‑year‑old seven‑time Grand Slam champion has not won a singles match this season, dropping her first eight matches, most recently in Bad Homburg. Yet she captured two doubles wins – with Katie Boulter in Madrid and Alexandra Eala in Bad Homburg – showing she still possesses competitive fire. Her 2025 Washington appearance made her the oldest player to win a WTA match since Martina Navratilova in 2004, a milestone that adds intrigue to her 2026 schedule.
How does Toronto fit into her story?
Toronto holds personal history for Williams. She earned one of her first wild cards there at age 15 in 1995 and reached the final in 2014, beating sister Serena in the semis before falling to Agnieszka Radwańska. This will be her 13th Canadian appearance, and she described the city as “a place with so many special memories.” The tournament runs from August 2‑13, overlapping the final days of the DC Open, meaning she will travel directly from Washington to Ontario.
What does this mean for her season?
By entering two back‑to‑back WTA 500 events, Williams signals a desire to accumulate ranking points and sharpen her game ahead of Wimbledon, where she plans to reunite with Serena in doubles. The hard‑court swing also offers a platform to gauge her singles readiness after a winless stretch. If she can translate past doubles success into deeper singles runs, she could improve her ranking before the US Open qualifying window opens.
When and where will she play?
The Mubadala DC Open is scheduled for July 27‑August 2 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The National Bank Open Presented by Rogers begins on August 2 at the Sobeys Stadium in Toronto and runs through August 13. Both events feature strong fields, including top‑10 players, making Williams’ participation a headline for fans and media alike.
What are the odds and expectations?
Analysts note that while Williams’ age and recent singles record pose challenges, her experience and powerful serve can trouble any opponent on a fast surface. Wild‑card entries often spark surprise runs, and her past success in Canada suggests she could once again make a deep push. The tennis world will watch closely to see if she can add another memorable chapter to her storied career.