NBO in Focus: Serena Makes Singles Return…

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Welcome to NBO in Focus. Every week, we will keep you updated on all the action on the WTA Tour as we build towards the National Bank Open in Toronto, which takes place from Aug. 1 to Aug. 13.

Days until National Bank Open: 32

Serena Set for Wimbledon Singles Comeback

The time has finally come for Serena Williams to make her WTA singles return at Wimbledon – the tournament she has won seven times.

“In general, my expectations are definitely different for the first time in my career,” the former world No. 1 said in her pre-tournament press conference. “Not that I never enjoyed it before because I wouldn't be [at Wimbledon] today, but I'm going to enjoy being out there.”

Williams’ first-round match will be Tuesday’s final match on Centre Court as the 23-time major champion takes on 20-year-old Maya Joint. Williams’ last Wimbledon match was back in 2022, the same year Joint had made her professional debut on the ITF circuit.

“It’s an honour. I always dreamed about playing Serena Williams. If you told me ten years ago that I’d be playing her first round at Wimbledon, that’s just crazy,” Joint told Tennis Australia. “You can't really think about who you are playing because I’ll get too nervous. I’ll just take it one ball at a time.”

Joint and Williams also share something in common. Both players are Michigan-natives, but Joint represents Australia on the tour.

Muchova Strikes Before Wimbledon

Karolina Muchova added to her impressive year at the Bad Homburg Open. The Czech cruised in her opening match but had to mount a comeback in the quarter-finals against world No. 25 Clara Tauson. Muchova was back on track in the semis after beating Elena-Gabriela Ruse in straight sets, her second win over a Romanian qualifier in the event.

The 29-year-old set up a final against Naomi Osaka, but the Japanese was forced to retire early in the second set as Muchova was crowned champion.

The Czech added a second title to her 2026 season, following her maiden WTA 1000 trophy in Doha earlier in the year. Muchova re-enters the Top 10 thanks to the Bad Homburg triumph, knocking out countrywoman Linda Noskova who cracked the Top 10 just last week after her title in Berlin.

Muchova will still enter Wimbledon as the second-highest seeded Czech at No. 10, one place behind Noskova.

Keys with Illustrious Company after Eastbourne Title

Madison Keys made history thanks to her third-career Lexus Eastbourne Open title. The American No. 5 joins former world No. 1s Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova as the only women to have won the event at least three times, previously winning in 2023 and 2014.

This was Keys’ most dominant Eastbourne title run out of the three. The world No. 22 conceded just 14 games in her four matches en route to the final, with her biggest win coming against world No. 48 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-0, 6-1. Keys then defeated last year’s Queen’s Club champion Tatjana Maria in straight sets for the title.

The victory marked the American’s fourth grass-court title, only the Williams sisters and Petra Kvitova have more on the surface this century.

All winners from last week:

WTA 500 Bad Homburg

Women’s Singles: Karolina Muchova (2/3)* d. Naomi Osaka (ret.)
Women’s Doubles: Aldila Sutjiadi/Vera Zvonareva d. Ellen Perez/Demi Schuurs

WTA 250 Eastbourne

Women’s Singles: Madison Keys (1/11)* d. Tatjana Maria
Women’s Doubles: Gabriela Dabrowski/Luisa Stefani d. Jesika Maleckova/Miriam Skoch

*(2026 titles/career titles)

The WTA's best return to Toronto next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at Sobeys Stadium. Get your tickets today!

Feature Photo: WTA