In this Jan 24, 2020 photo, Serena Williams of the US hits a return against China's Wang Qiang during their women's singles match on day five of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. (WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

Serena Williams will return to the court for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic when she competes at the inaugural edition of the Top Seed Open in Lexington, Kentucky beginning Aug 10, the WTA said on Thursday.

The WTA Tour, suspended since March due to the pandemic, last month announced it would resume in Palermo, Italy on Aug 3

It will mark the 23-time Grand Slam champion’s first match since she helped Team USA defeat Latvia in Fed Cup play in Everett, Washington in February.

Another US Open champion, fellow American Sloane Stephens, will also compete at the event, the WTA said.

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Last week, the WTA confirmed the addition of events in Prague, Czech Republic and Lexington to its provisional calendar, which now features 21 tournaments.

The WTA Tour, suspended since March due to the pandemic, last month announced it would resume in Palermo, Italy on Aug 3.

The Cincinnati Masters is scheduled to be played at Flushing Meadows, New York in mid-August followed by the US Open, also at its usual Flushing Meadows home, from Aug 31-Sept 13.