INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Venus Williams obtained a wild-card entry Wednesday for the BNP Paribas Open, which might make subsequent month’s match in Indian Wells, California, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion’s first occasion in practically a full 12 months.
The 44-year-old Williams hasn’t competed wherever on tour since a first-round loss on the Miami Open on March 19, 2024. That was lower than two weeks after she misplaced her opening match at Indian Wells.
Her first look at Indian Wells got here in 1994. Williams received 5 titles at Wimbledon and two on the U.S. Open in singles, together with 14 Grand Slam doubles titles along with her youthful sister, Serena.
Different wild-card recipients introduced Wednesday embrace two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova — who’s returning to motion after a 15-month break whereas giving delivery to her first little one — and youngsters João Fonseca and Learner Tien.
Fonseca, 18, received his first ATP title on the Argentina Open this month. Tien, 19, reached the fourth spherical on the Australian Open in January.
The BNP Paribas Open runs from March 2-16.
