- American is currently ranked No 974 in the world
- Former world No 1 has been out of tennis for nearly a year
Venus Williams has been given a wildcard entry for the BNP Paribas Open, which would make next month’s tournament in Indian Wells her first event in nearly a year.
The 44-year-old hasn’t competed anywhere on tour since a first-round loss at the Miami Open on 19 March 2024. That was less than two weeks after she lost her opening match at Indian Wells.
