Venus Williams Announces Long-Awaited Comeback During Grass-Court Season
Venus Williams has received a wildcard entry for the 2023 Libema Open and the seven-time Grand Slam winner will join a talented field at the WTA 250 event.
It will be Williams' first competitive appearance since January 2023 when she had to retire from a hamstring injury during a second-round match against to Zhu Lin at the ASB Classic. The withdrawal followed the former world number one's first win in 18 months after she beat compatriot Katie Volynets in the first round.
Williams' entry into Libema Open will also mark her return to grass competitions for the first time since 2021 when the 42-year-old played at Wimbledon and reached the second round. The official Libema Open account took to Twitter to announce Williams' forthcoming entry into the 2023 competition.
"A legend arrives. We proudly present Venus Williams as a participant in our WTA tournament! The American receives a wildcard and will debut on the 's-Hertogenbosch grass courts."
This June will also mark Williams' first-ever appearance at the competition, which will be held between June 12 and 18 in the Netherlands' city of 's-Hertogenbosch. Since she last played competitive tennis in January, the five-time Wimbledon champion has fallen down to 701st in the WTA Rankings.
To progress deep into this year's tournament, Williams will also have to overcome a talented field. Some of the other entrants at the 2023 Libema Open include Grand Slam winners Victoria Azarenka and Bianca Andreescu, who will be stepping up their preparations for Wimbledon in late June.
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