Serena Williams isn’t sure how she got back to Cincy, but she ‘loves’ it

Don’t ask her why or how, but one of the most iconic tennis players has returned to Cincinnati (and she loves it).

Serena Williams, who has won more than 29 career Grand Slams, is back in the Queen City to compete in the 2026 Cincinnati Open. It marks her first appearance in Mason since 2022. On Aug. 17, Serena and Venus Williams will take the court as doubles partners for the first time in Cincinnati Open history.

The legendary sisters have been awarded a doubles wild card for the Aug. 11-23 tournament at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Venus Williams also received a singles wild card.

Ahead of her Monday matchup, the Cincinnati Open’s TikTok account shared a video of Serena talking about her love for the Queen City’s annual tennis tournament.

“Hey y’all! It’s Serena here. I’m back in Cincinnati. Don’t ask me why or how, but I love this place. It’s like it’s always one of my favorite stops on tour. And when I decide to play a few tournaments, I said, ‘You know what? Cincinnati Open is one place I would never miss,'” the 44-year-old tennis star said.

When did Serena Williams last play the Cincinnati Open?

In her penultimate tournament before stepping away in 2022, Williams lost in the Round of 64 in the Cincinnati Open, then called the Western & Southern Open, in straight sets to Emma Raducanu.

Williams, a 23-time major champion, won the Cincinnati Open in back-to-back years (2014-15). She also reached the finals in 2013, falling in three sets to Victoria Azarenka.

When do Venus and Serena Williams play?

The Williams sisters are scheduled to play a round-two doubles match on Monday, Aug. 17, at the Grandstand Court. The duo will face Cincinnati native Peyton Stearns and partner Marta Kostyuk.

The Williams sisters will take on Stearns and Kostyuk at 7 p.m. ET on Monday.

Drake was spotted in Cincinnati with Serena Williams during 2015 tennis tournament

Drake and Williams were reportedly romantically involved around 2015. Drake only recently confirmed the relationship, noting the connection was the inspiration for his 2016 song “Too Good.”

Drake attended the Cincinnati Open, formerly the Western & Southern Open, in 2015 during the time of the alleged dating rumors. The rapper and singer was reportedly spotted in Center Court wearing a bright orange Bengals T-shirt.

USA TODAY reports that Drake is no longer on good terms with Williams, though, which might explain her appearance during Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime performance of “Not Like Us,” which notably disses Drake.

Drake called out her husband, Alexis Ohanian, in his 2022 song “Middle of the Ocean,” rapping that the Reddit founder was a “groupie.”Ohanian responded on social media, writing, “The reason I stay winning is because I’m relentless about being the absolute best at whatever I do — including being the best groupie for my wife & daughter.”

The Enquirer’s Haadiza Ogwude, Bebe Hodges and Shelby Dermer contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Serena Williams isn’t sure how she got back to Cincy, but she ‘loves’ it