Wimbledon5-time champion Venus Williams handed wildcard entry after an injury layoff

By India Today Sports DeskFive-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams and former semi-finalist Elina Svitolina have been named in the initial batch of wildcards for the grass court major, the organisers announced on Wednesday.

Both players were unable to participate in Wimbledon last year, with Svitolina taking a break due to pregnancy and Williams nursing an injury. As a result, they have been granted invitations to return this year.

Williams will be making her 24th main draw appearance at the tournament. On the other hand, Svitolina, who reached the semi-finals in 2019 and the fourth round in 2017, will be competing in her ninth Wimbledon.

Recently, Williams achieved a significant milestone by securing her first Top 50 victory in four years and her first win on grass since Wimbledon 2021. She triumphed in a thrilling match against Camila Giorgi at the Rothesay Classic in Birmingham, lasting a remarkable three hours and 17 minutes.

Joining Williams and Svitolina in the main draw are a group of British players, including Katie Boulter, Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart, Katie Swan, and Heather Watson. Boulter, who recently won her first career WTA title, was awarded a wild card owing to her ranking being outside the main-draw cut-off when it was determined last month.

Dart, Svitolina’s fellow 2019 third-round achiever, and Watson, who reached the last 16 for the first time in her 12 appearances last year, will also be aiming to make an impact. While seven wild cards have been announced, one spot is yet to be awarded.

The Wimbledon main draw is scheduled to commence on July 3, promising another thrilling edition of the prestigious tournament.