Serena Williams set to return to the National Bank Open in Toronto next month

Serena Williams is set to play her first North American hard-court summer swing in two years. Following her return to competition during the grass-court season, Williams is scheduled to participate in the National Bank Open in Toronto, the first WTA 1000 event of the summer. Williams entered Toronto using her protected ranking.

Williams, a three-time champion in Toronto, last played there in 2019, where she made the final against Bianca Andreescu. The Canadian was also granted a wild card into this year's main draw. 

Led by World No.1 Iga Swiatek, Toronto will feature 41 of the top 43 ranked players. Given the tournament's strong entry list, which includes the full slate of the tour's Top 10, along with Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, Roland Garros runner-up Coco Gauff, Canada's own Leylah Fernandez and reigning champion Andreescu, the tournament's entry cutoff was high this year. No.43 Sara Sorribes Tormo was the last direct main-draw entrant. 

“When you read over that star-studded list, it’s hard not to get excited about the WTA Tour making its return to Sobeys Stadium,” Tournament Director Karl Hale said. “Not only is this one of the strongest, if not the strongest, player list we’ve ever submitted, but it’s also the first time in three years that the National Bank Open returns to a full capacity.

"We’re thrilled that these players will have a chance to play in front of a packed house, and we’re even happier for our fans who will get to watch tennis’ very best at the 2022 edition of the National Bank Open.”

The tournament also confirmed Andreescu will play her first match during the night session on Tuesday, Aug. 9. No.1 Swiatek will open her campaign during the day session on Aug. 10.

The Canadian Open takes place at Sobeys Stadium from Aug. 8 to Aug. 14.

Toronto Entry List as of July 14:

1. Iga Swiatek
2. Anett Kontaveit
3. Maria Sakkari
4. Paula Badosa
5. Sofia Kenin (SR)
6. Ons Jabeur
7. Aryna Sabalenka
8. Danielle Collins
9. Jessica Pegula
10. Garbiñe Muguruza
11. Emma Raducanu
12. Coco Gauff
13. Daria Kasatkina
14. Belinda Bencic
15. Leylah Fernandez
16. Karolina Pliskova
17. Simona Halep
18. Serena Williams
19. Barbora Krejcikova
20. Jelena Ostapenko
21. Veronika Kudermetova
22. Victoria Azarenka
23. Jil Teichmann
24. Amanda Anisimova
25. Elena Rybakina
26. Petra Kvitova
27. Beatriz Haddad Maia
28. Martina Trevisan
29. Camila Giorgi
30. Ekaterina Alexandrova
31. Elise Mertens
32. Yulia Putintseva
33. Alison Riske-Armitraj
34. Sorana Cirstea
35. Kaia Kanepi
36. Aliaksandra Sasnovich
37. Zhang Shuai
38. Alizé Cornet
39. Anhelina Kalinina
40. Naomi Osaka
41. Alison Van Uytvanck
42. Sara Sorribes Tormo
43. Bianca Andreescu (WC)