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.
Williams won five titles at Wimbledon and two at the US Open in singles, along with 14 grand slam doubles titles with her sister Serena.
Other wildcard recipients announced Wednesday include two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova – who is returning to action after a 15-month break while giving birth to her first child – and teenagers João Fonseca and Learner Tien.
The seven-time grand slam singles champion’s first appearance at Indian Wells came in 1994.
Fonseca, 18, won his first ATP title at the Argentina Open this month.
