Serena Williams and Venus Williams both add Canadian Open to their growing schedule

The Canadian Open has pulled off a bit of a coup with both Serena Williams and Venus Williams confirmed for the tournament.

For a long time it looked like both Williams’ were essentially done with tennis when they both went a year without playing.

However, they returned at Wimbledon and it appears to have relit the fire beneath them for one last run on the WTA Tour, and both have now very clearly signalled their intent to play the US Open later this year.

“I’m so excited to be back playing the National Bank Open presented by Rogers,” Venus Williams said. “I love the city, the tournament, and I look forward to being back in Toronto.”

Having one of the Williams sisters in Toronto would have been an incredible coup for the event, but securing both was likely beyond what they dared hoped.

And, understandably, tournament director Karl Hale is very happy with how it has turned out for them.

“We are thrilled to have both Venus and Serena playing the National Bank Open presented by Rogers this year,” said Hale.

“They have meant a great deal to our sport and having them at a tournament really puts a spark in everyone from the fans, tournament staff, and even the other players. They’re two of the greatest players in history and we look forward to hosting them in Toronto.”

Serena Williams, meanwhile, is also on the entry list for the Cincinnati Masters as she attempts to avoid a new York repeat of her first-round exit at Wimbledon.

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