Venus Williams granted wildcard to Canadian Open for first time since 2023

It feels like currently all the attention is on Serena Williams following her first footsteps back into WTA tennis, most notably at Wimbledon. However, the tennis world last year were talking about Venus Williams making a return to the court in the North American hardcourt swing. She will be continuing to compete in this part of the season after being handed a wildcard for the Canadian Open, taking place from August 3-16.

The 46-year-old made her comeback to tennis at the DC Open last year, winning her first round match in the singles and doubles. She opted not to make the trip to Montreal as she focused on competing in the Cincinnati Open before making a jubilant return to the US Open, losing in the first round of the singles before making a run to the quarter-finals alongside former finalist Leylah Fernandez in the doubles.

She has continued to compete on the big stage. Wins have been sparse with the top tournaments consistently handing her wildcards with the seven-time Grand Slam champion bringing attention to the court wherever she goes with fans hopeful of getting a glimmer of her.

Tennis fans making the trip to Toronto will now get this opportunity of doing so with Williams competing in the Canadian Open for the first time since 2023. Her form there has not been amazing, reaching the final back in 2014 after defeating her sister, Serena, but would lose out to Agnieszka Radwańska in the final.

It will be the fifth WTA 1000 tournament she has competed in since making her comeback to the sport, and overall 13th in the Canadian Open.

“I’m so thrilled to be back playing in Toronto," she said in a statement. "It’s a city and a tournament that have always meant so much to me. The National Bank Open has been part of my journey since I received one of my first wild cards here at just 15 years old. It’s wonderful to return to a place with so many special memories, and I can’t wait to compete again in front of Toronto’s amazing tennis fans.”

It is a huge plus for the event with the Karl Hale, the Tournament Director, delighted over this news. “We are thrilled to welcome the legendary Venus Williams back to the National Bank Open,” he commented. “Her determination and remarkable longevity continue to inspire fans around the world, and we – along with the rest of the tennis community – are delighted to see her competing at the biggest tournaments and to have her back in Toronto once again.

"This year’s tournament is shaping up to be another historic edition, kicking off with the addition of one of the sport’s all-time greats to the player field, and we look forward to bringing fans from Canada and around the world together, while continuing to grow the game across our country.”

The best tennis players in the world are set to compete in Toronto. Home hero Victoria Mboko was a surprise winner following her triumph over Naomi Osaka in the final, blasting her up the order and into the elite bracket of women's tennis.