2026 Schedule Update | Who will sit on the throne at Queens? Carlos Alcaraz and Amanda Anisimova set for highly anticipated return

Carlos Alcaraz and Amanda Anisimova had different fates when they reached the final at Queen's Club Championship earlier this year. They have now confirmed their intentions on returning to the event next season, with the pair targeting glory on grass. The tournament will commence from 6th-21st June 2026.

With the 2025 season all-but complete for many players, their focus has now shifted right over to 2026, with many players eyeing up a big campaign. Preparations have begun, and that involves picking and choosing which events to participate in. Alcaraz and Anisimova have been hard work doing this, looking through the packed ATP and WTA calendars. Nevertheless, in their minds Queens was always a firm fixture to return to.

The world number two has taken a liking to the grass surfaces at Queens. Key preparation for Wimbledon, the 500 event is perfect to supply him with high-quality competition and a prestigious title on the end of a string of positive results.

He clinched his first title back in 2023 after defeating Alex de Minaur in straight sets. He followed in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Rafael Nadal and Feliciano Lopez in winning the title. He was unable to follow this success the next year after he was surprised by a heavily improving Jack Draper in front of a home crowd in the second round.

Formality was returned in 2025 when the Spaniard romped his way to the title. He defeated Adam Walton, Jaume Munar, Arthur Rinderknech, Roberto Bautista Agut and Jiri Lehecka in the final to clinch success. He did this without being broken. This incredible stat was displayed in full force with his serve looking as dangerous and precise as it has ever looked.

"Queen's is a very special tournament for me and I look forward to playing there every year. This season, it was incredible to come back and win that second title in front of a fantastic crowd. Returning as the defending champion will be a challenge, but I am excited to be there and fight to lift the trophy once again," Alcaraz told the tournament website.

In the first WTA event at Queens since 1973, Anisimova made a run all the way to the final, a sign of greater things to come ahead of a remarkable Wimbledon campaign which unfortunately ended in heartbreak.

She fended off British stars Jodie Burrage and Sonay Kartal ahead of defeating number three seed Emma Navarro and number one seed Zheng Qinwen to reach her fourth WTA final, and second in 2025. Looking to back up the success in the WTA 1000 event in Qatar, she clashed against German qualifier Tatjana Maria. Despite the American being the firm favourite, she was upset by Maria in straight sets. 

She will be attempting to overturn that bitter disappointment as she is set to return for a second consecutive year. Now up to the world number four, her career has sky-rocketed since this close call with glory. Two Grand Slam finals, a WTA 1000 title and most recently a semi-final defeat to Aryna Sabalenka in the WTA Finals semi-final.

Her Queen's run was one of the catalysts for this incredible form experienced. While she would have taken a final at the start of the 2024 edition, it feels like that it is the top of the podium or bust for the 24-year-old.

After their deep runs at Queens, the pair both endured similar fates at Wimbledon. Alcaraz was the hot favourite to defend his title, but in the end was outclassed by a scintillating Jannik Sinner. As for Anisimova, she got the better of the world number one Sabalenka in the semi-finals before losing 6-0m 6-0 to a rampant Iga Swiatek. After their Queens tournament culminates, they will be hoping to go one step further at SW19.