Serena Williams: “I Don’t Have Anything to Lose, and Everything Here Is Just to Gain” — 23-Time Major Titlist Returns to Flushing Meadows for 2026 US Open

Four years after her emotional farewell at the 2022 US Open, Serena Williams is set to return to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The 44-year-old icon will continue her 2026 comeback in Flushing Meadows by teaming up with Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open Mixed Doubles Championship.

Seeking her 10th total US Open title—having previously claimed six women’s singles, two women’s doubles, and one mixed doubles trophy—Williams enters the final Grand Slam of the year with a completely renewed perspective.

“I never thought I would do this again,” Williams said before competing at Wimbledon in June. “When I evolved [away from tennis], I had never thought I’d come back.”

“I don’t need to win,” Williams added prior to her return match at Queen’s Club. “I’ve won more than most people have in their whole lives, so it’s not that important to me, and it’s important that I keep reminding myself of that, because I don’t have anything to prove. I don’t have anything to lose, and everything here is just to gain.”

The 2026 Comeback Roadmap

Since launching her return to competitive tennis on June 9 after nearly four years away, Williams has navigated a selective five-event schedule:

Queen’s Club (Doubles): Teaming with 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko, Williams earned her first comeback victory by upsetting third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe, 7-6(2), 6-2. The duo withdrew following the win after Mboko suffered a knee injury in singles.
Berlin (Doubles): Partnering Karolina Muchova, Williams fell in the opening round to Giuliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe, 6-4, 6-4.
Wimbledon (Singles & Doubles): Accepting a late wild card into singles, Williams pushed Maya Joint to three sets before bowing out 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3. A right knee injury forced her to withdraw from the women’s doubles draw alongside sister Venus Williams.
Cincinnati Open (Doubles): In her most recent outing on August 17, Serena reunited with Venus in doubles, falling in a tight 6-2, 1-6, 10-8 tiebreak match against Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns.

A Blockbuster Return to New York

Williams’ last appearance inside Arthur Ashe Stadium came on September 2, 2022, when she fell in a three-set thriller to Ajla Tomljanovic before addressing a sold-out crowd in a memorable farewell ceremony.

Now, her high-profile partnership with Alcaraz marks her first competitive outing in Flushing Meadows since that historic night. Main-draw action for the 2026 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship gets underway on Tuesday, August 25.