Seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams on Wednesday was given a wildcard entry for next month’s Indian Wells tournament, Afrosport reports.
Williams, who is set to play for the first time in almost a year, will be making her 10th career appearance at Indian Wells.
The 44-year-old, currently ranked 974th in the world, has not featured in a WTA Tour-level match since a first-round defeat to Diana Shnaider at the Miami Open last March.
Williams, the former world number one, has also failed to secure a tour-level win since August 2023.
Meanwhile, Czech star and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has also been handed a wildcard, marking her return to tennis following the birth of her first child.
The 34-year-old, who gave birth to son Petr last July, will make her 13th appearance at Indian Wells after about 15 months away from the sport.
Teenage sensations Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien have also been given wildcards in the men’s category.
Fonseca, 18, won his first ATP Tour title at the Argentina Open on Sunday, while 19-year-old American Tien reached the fourth round of the Australian Open last month, making history as the youngest player since Rafael Nadal in 2005 to reach the second week at Melbourne.
The men’s and women’s main draw at Indian Wells will take place from 5-16 March 2025.
