Venus Williams headlines ‘initial’ Wimbledon wildcard list
Venus Williams has been announced to be competing in the Wimbledon singles draw for a 24th time, as The Championships revealed their ‘initial’ wildcard list for 2023.
Williams is a five-time champion at the grass major, and after her first win on the surface since 2021 has been rewarded with a wildcard in the singles draw at SW19.
The 43-year-old returned to the WTA tour for the first time since January last week in Hertogenbosch, but lost out to 17-year-old Celine Naef in three sets.
However, Williams avenged her defeat in the Netherlands on Monday when she played world No.48 Camila Giorgi, and battled to a three hour and 16 minute triumph in impressive fashion.
Williams has been awarded a wildcard in the Wimbledon women’s singles draw alongside former No.3 Elina Svitolina, and British players Katie Boulter, Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart, Katie Swan and Heather Watson, with one more name to be further announced.
The men’s singles draw features 2022 quarter-finalist David Goffin, amongst British hopes Liam Broady, Jan Choinski, Arthur Fery, George Loffhagen and Ryan Peniston, with two more wildcard spots still available.
These players will learn their Wimbledon fates when the main draw takes place on Friday 30th June at 10am (BST).
Venus Williams at Wimbledon
Venus Williams is one of the most decorated Wimbledon champions in history, triumphing in the singles tournament on five occasions and sharing doubles success with her sister Serena six times.
Here are all 11 of Venus’ Wimbledon victories:
Singles
2000 – V.Williams beat Lindsay Davenport, 6-3 7-6(3)
2001 – V.Williams beat Justine Henin, 6-1 3-6 6-0
2005 – V.Williams beat Lindsay Davenport, 4-6 7-6(4) 9-7
2007 – V.Williams beat Marion Bartoli, 6-4 6-1
2008 – V.Williams beat Serena Williams, 7-5 6-4
Doubles
2000 – V.Williams and S.Williams beat Julie Halard-Decugis and Ai Sugiyama, 6-3 6-2
2002 – V.Williams and S.Williams beat Virginia Ruano Pascual and Paola Suarez, 6-2 7-5
2008 – V.Williams and S.Williams beat Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur, 6-2 6-2
2009 – V.Williams and S.Williams beat Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs, 7-6(4) 6-4
2012 – V.Williams and S.Williams beat Lucie Hradecka and Andrea Hlavackova, 7-5 6-4
2016 – V.Williams and S.Williams beat Timea Babos and Yaroslava Shvedova, 6-3 6-4
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