INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Venus Williams has been granted a wild-card entry to participate in the BNP Paribas Open, marking her return to competitive tennis almost a year since her last match. This event, scheduled for next month in Indian Wells, California, will be a significant milestone for the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion.

The 44-year-old athlete has not played in any tournament since her first-round defeat at the Miami Open on March 19, 2024, which followed a brief loss in the opening round at Indian Wells itself. Williams’ journey at Indian Wells began back in 1994, and throughout her illustrious career, she has secured five Wimbledon titles and two at the U.S. Open in singles. Additionally, her partnership with her sister, Serena Williams, has led to an impressive 14 Grand Slam titles in doubles.

In a related announcement, several other players also received wild cards to the BNP Paribas Open. Notable among them is Petra Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion who is making her comeback after a 15-month hiatus due to the birth of her first child. Joining them are teenage stars João Fonseca, 18, who recently claimed his first ATP title at the Argentina Open, and 19-year-old Learner Tien, who advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open earlier in January.

The BNP Paribas Open is set to take place from March 2 to 16, promising an exciting lineup of matches as players, both seasoned and emerging, take to the courts.