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At 45, Venus Williams is set to make her 25th appearance in the main draw of the US Open. The two-time champion was awarded a wild card entry, marking a significant milestone in her recent return to professional tennis.
The US Open, held in Forest Hills, New York, runs from August 24th to September 7th. Williams’ participation comes after a 16-month break from competition, ending with her entry into the Citi Open in Washington last month. While she experienced both victory and defeat in recent tournaments, her wild card entry allows her to bypass the qualifying rounds and enter the US Open directly.
Joining Williams as wild card recipients are several American women, including rising stars Clervie Ngounoue, Alyssa Ahn, 16-year-old top-ranked junior Julieta Pareja, Caty McNally, and Valerie Gloxman. International players Caroline Garcia of France and Talia Gibson of Australia also received wild card entries.
Williams’ impressive career boasts seven Grand Slam singles titles, including two US Open championships, five Wimbledon titles, and an impressive collection of Olympic medals. Her legacy extends beyond the court, as evidenced by Mattel’s recent announcement of a Venus Williams Barbie doll, part of their “Inspiring Women Series.”
The doll, sporting a tennis outfit and racket, is modeled after one of Williams’ past tournament looks. This honor coincides with her upcoming US Open appearance, adding another layer of celebration to her return.