Watch out, tennis world: Venus Williams isn’t done with Grand Slams yet
The 42-year-old tennis veteran stunned fans earlier this week when she unexpectedly requested a wild card to play in this year’s mixed doubles lineup at Wimbledon.
The five-time Wimbledon champion will be joined on the courts by fellow British player Jamie Murray, who is ranked No. 21 in the ATP doubles rankings. Murray is the older brother of tennis star and two-time Wimbledon mixed doubles winner Andy Murray.
Williams last participated in a competitive match in August, then withdrew from the US Open due to a leg ailment. Her singles ranking has dropped to No. 570, although she may still enter singles events as a wild card.
Venus partnered with controversial Australian player Nick Kyrgios for mixed doubles last year before Kyrgios’ injury forced the pair to withdraw from their second-round match.
Williams has two major mixed doubles titles, having won the Australian Open in 1998 and the French Open in 1998 with Justin Gimelstob.
She is also 14-0 in major finals and women’s doubles finals in her career, winning all of them with sister Serena.
Serena Williams‘ first-round singles match at Centre Court on Tuesday night ended in a three-set loss to Harmony Tan.
