Tennis Veteran Venus Williams Gets Wild Card Entry To Cincinnati Open

Veteran tennis player Venus Williams, who recently returned to the court after a 16-month layoff, has been granted a wild card entry to next month’s Cincinnati Open.

A seven-time major champion, the 45-year-old became the oldest player to win a WTA singles match since 2004 when she defeated fellow American and world No. 35 Peyton Stearns at the Washington Open on Tuesday.

Venus is due to face Poland’s Magdalena Frech in the round of 16 clash at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. later on Thursday. Her doubles run with partner Hailey Baptiste ended in the second round on Wednesday.

Venus, a two-time U.S. Open champion, last played a tournament in March 2024, losing in the first round at the Miami Open.

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will be the women’s singles defending champion at the Cincinnati Open, having beaten local hope Jessica Pegula in straight sets in last year’s final.

This WTA 1000 tournament is set to take place from August 5 this year, with the main draw starting two days later. The final will be played on August 18.

The Cincinnati Open, a hard-court tune-up for the U.S. Open., also offered a wild card invite to hometown talent Caty McNally, who recently returned to action after undergoing elbow surgery last year.

Venus Wants Sister Serena To Come Back

Earlier this year, in February, Venus declined a wild card to the Indian Wells, saying she had not been told of the wildcard before organizers announced it and that she was unable to compete due to prior commitments.

Talking to the press before her Citi Open participation, Venus said she wants her little sister, Serena Williams, to follow suit. A 23-time Grand Slam champion, Serena stopped playing tennis in September 2022, saying she was “evolving” away from the sport.

“I mean, I keep saying to my team: ‘The only thing that would make this better is if she was here,’ like we always did everything together, so of course I miss her,” Venus told reporters ahead of her return, according to the Associated Press.

“But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let y’all know.”