Venus Williams' much-anticipated return to the singles court will happen at the Citi Open after the seven-time Grand Slam champion accepted a wild card into the event.
The 42-year-old's first tournament appearance in almost a year was at Wimbledon earlier this month. She played mixed doubles alongside Jamie Murray, a two-time mixed doubles champion at SW19.
The pair won their first-round match against Alicja Rosolska and Michael Venus in three sets. Unfortunately, they then lost a tight second-round contest to Alicia Barnett and Jonny O'Mara in a third-set tiebreak.
Fans wondered whether the two-time US Open champion would return to the singles court during the North American hard court swing. It was announced soon after Wimbledon that she would make her singles comeback after Wimbledon.
Williams' participation at the Canadian Open was recently confirmed. It seemed like that would be the scene of her first singles match in nearly 12 months, but the American subsequently announced her involvement at the Citi Open.
“I am excited to be playing the Citi Open for the first time this summer,” Williams said. “I love Washington D.C. and returning to the nation’s capital to play in front of a community that has supported me so strongly feels like a homecoming. I am looking forward to being back on the courts and competing in D.C. soon.”
Williams will join a strong line-up that features names such as Jessica Pegula, Emma Raducanu, Leylah Fernandez, Simona Halep, and many more. With such a superb entry list, fans will certainly get value for money.
Expectations are bound to be lower than Williams is used to in Washington. The five-time Wimbledon winner will likely be rusty after so much time away from the singles court, but she has surprised people in the past.
Having a tennis legend like Williams playing generates attention, and many fans will eagerly follow her progress in Washington.