Serena Williams Aims for a Healthy Return at the 2024 US Open

All indications from Serena Williams’ camp suggest the 44-year-old champion intends to compete in the main-draw singles at the US Open, which begins on Aug. 30. Coach Rennae Stubbs said Williams “intends to keep playing; the US Open as well,” and noted that a wildcard entry would be available if needed.

ESPN

Williams suffered a right-knee injury midway through a three-set loss to Maya Joint at Wimbledon, prompting her withdrawal from a doubles match with sister Venus. She posted an Instagram video showing four syringes of fluid drained from the knee and later reported that “the good news is my knee shouldn’t swell or collect that much fluid again.” Despite the setback, she has been practicing at Bob Bryan’s Florida club, hitting serves over 120 mph and maintaining heavy groundstrokes that land within inches of the baseline. Stubbs described her movement at Wimbledon as “miraculous” given the knee condition, noting that Williams “was rubbing her legs every change of end.”

ESPN

• Rennae Stubbs (coach): Emphasized that Williams’ participation hinges on her physical recovery, stating, “As long as physically she can go—and I’m hoping in a few weeks that’s the case—to get her back on the court and hitting balls.”

ESPN

• Serena Williams (player): After her Wimbledon loss, she told reporters, “All I can say, stay tuned to a city near you.”

ESPN

• Bob Bryan (former doubles champion): Observed that Williams was “getting 12 rackets strung…so we knew she was serious,” and added, “Hopefully she gets healthy and can make a run this summer. She’s going to win again for sure. She’s a champion.”

ESPN

• “Her intention is to keep playing; the US Open as well,” — Rennae Stubbs, Coach

ESPN

• “is stay tuned to a city near you.” — Serena Williams, Player

ESPN

• “Considering how bad the knee was it's pretty miraculous really that she went as long as she did in the match,” — Rennae Stubbs, Coach

ESPN

• “She wasn't giving away too much information but she was getting 12 rackets strung. ... So we knew she was serious,” — Bob Bryan, Former Doubles Champion

ESPN

Williams’ potential return to hard-court competition could reshape the US Open field. Her historic six-title record on the surface, combined with a demonstrated ability to hit high-velocity serves despite recent injury, suggests she could be a formidable contender if she regains full health before the tournament’s start.

ESPN