The 2026 WTA Tour's Grass-Court Swing has been a thrilling showcase of unexpected talent and resilience. The week's highlights include two remarkable comebacks and a resurgence of form, all while the tour continues to witness the rise of new stars and the return of familiar names.
Vekic's Triumph at Queen's Club
Donna Vekic's victory at the HSBC Championships at Queen's Club is a testament to her tenacity and skill. Vekic, a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2024, claimed her fifth career title and first at the WTA 500 level or above. Her journey to the top was not without challenges, as she dropped just one set all week against Karolina Pliskova in the quarterfinals. Vekic's ability to rise from a career-low ranking of No. 117 in March to a current ranking of No. 33 is a remarkable feat. What makes her success even more impressive is her ability to defeat three British players in straight sets, including Emma Raducanu in the final.
Montgomery's Grass-Court Comeback
In 's-Hertogenbosch, Robin Montgomery's comeback from wrist surgery is a story of determination. The 21-year-old American, who reached a career-high No. 95 last June, spent nine months on the sidelines. Her return to the tour-level was a testament to her resilience, as she rallied past Yuan Yue in the opening round of qualifying. Montgomery's serve became a dominant force on grass, striking 55 aces in six matches to reach her first tour-level final. Her victory over Barbora Krejcikova, despite the latter's withdrawal with an illness, marked her as the third-lowest-ranked champion in WTA history.
The Rise of New Stars
The week also saw the emergence of new stars on the WTA Tour. Mirra Andreeva, the Roland Garros champion, rises one spot to No. 5 after Amanda Anisimova dropped points from her runner-up finish at Queen's in 2025. Magda Linette, reaching her first semifinal in a year, climbs 12 places from No. 60 to No. 48, returning to the Top 50. Ajla Tomljanovic, a semifinalist in 's-Hertogenbosch, returns to the Top 100 after a three-week absence.
Serena Williams' Return
Serena Williams made a highly anticipated return to the doubles rankings at No. 593. Playing her first professional tournament in nearly four years, Williams reached the Queen's quarterfinals alongside Victoria Mboko before the Canadian was forced to withdraw with an MCL injury. This marks Williams' first appearance on either rankings list since September 2022.
WTA 125 Events
Two WTA 125 events were held last week, with Ashlyn Krueger and Katarzyna Kawa claiming the titles. Krueger, a former No. 29, continued her grass-court resurgence by lifting the trophy in Ilkley, rising 18 places to No. 95. Kawa, a 33-year-old Polish player, won her second WTA 125 title in Modena, saving one championship point to edge Lucia Bronzetti in the final.
Rising Stars in Other Tournaments
The week also saw the rise of new stars in other tournaments. Kamilla Rakhimova, Daria Snigur, Darja Vidmanova, Polina Iatcenko, Julia Avdeeva, Kajsa Rinaldo Persson, Elina Avanesyan, Mia Pohankova, Li Zongyu, and Savannah Broadus all made significant gains in their respective rankings.
In conclusion, the 2026 WTA Tour's Grass-Court Swing has been a celebration of talent, resilience, and the unexpected. As the tour continues, we can expect more surprises and the emergence of new stars who will shape the future of women's tennis.
