Grass-Court Season Opens as Serena Williams and Emma Raducanu Headline Queen’s
The grass-court season officially begins this week as the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club welcomes a star-studded field, featuring the return of 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams and British favorite Emma Raducanu. The women’s singles tournament runs from June 8–14, 2026, while the men’s event follows from June 15–21, 2026.
Who is competing in the women’s draw?
The women’s singles draw is headlined by world number two and Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina. According to the BBC, the field includes top-10 players Amanda Anisimova and Victoria Mboko, as well as French Open semi-finalist Marta Kostyuk.
Emma Raducanu, who reached the quarter-finals at the event last year, remains the only British player to earn direct entry into the main draw. Tournament organizers have awarded wildcards to Katie Boulter, Francesca Jones, Harriet Dart, and teenager Mika Stojsavljevic to round out the competition.
Serena Williams returns to competitive tennis
Serena Williams is set to make her return to competitive action at Queen’s, competing in the women’s doubles alongside Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko. This appearance marks the 44-year-old’s first competitive match in nearly four years.
Regarding her return, Williams stated during a press conference that she feels Queen’s Club is the “perfect place to begin this next chapter.” While Williams previously announced she would be “evolving away” from the sport in 2022, she has opted to participate in the lead-up to Wimbledon, where she has secured seven singles and seven doubles titles throughout her career.
What to expect from the men’s tournament
The men’s draw, scheduled for June 15–21, features a mix of established talent and rising stars. According to BBC Sport, the field includes home favorites Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper. Australian world number nine Alex de Minaur is currently the highest-ranked player confirmed for the draw. Other notable top-20 players scheduled to compete include Lorenzo Musetti, Jiri Lehecka, Luciano Darderi, and Valentin Vacherot.
How to follow the HSBC Championships
Fans can follow the action throughout the week across multiple platforms. Live coverage is available on BBC One, BBC Two, and BBC iPlayer, with additional updates provided by BBC Radio 5 Live. The BBC Sport website and app will also feature live reports, analysis, and tournament updates.
Tournament Overview
- Women’s Singles Dates: June 8–14, 2026
- Men’s Singles Dates: June 15–21, 2026
- Key Returnee: Serena Williams (Women’s Doubles)
- Top Seed (Women’s): Elena Rybakina
With Wimbledon beginning just three weeks after the conclusion of the HSBC Championships, Queen’s serves as a critical indicator of form for players transitioning to the grass-court surface. Whether it is the return of a legend like Williams or the push for a deep run from Britain’s Raducanu, the coming fortnight is set to shape the narrative heading into the summer’s major.