Venus Williams has been taking part in with a wildcard for the final eight months regardless of the previous world No.1 shedding her final eight matches
Venus Williams (Picture: Getty)
Former world No.1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov has known as for Venus Williams to cease getting wildcards after shedding within the first spherical at Indian Wells.
Williams, the present world No.145, has endured a horror current run, falling to defeat in every of her final EIGHT matches. Certainly, the 45-year-old final received a recreation again in July 2025, when she beat Peyton Stearns within the Washington Open Spherical of 32.
The veteran has been handed wildcards to compete in occasions, however Kafelnikov, who was the very best ranked males’s participant on the earth again in 1999, has vowed for her to cease receiving invites to make method for brand new skills within the sport.
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Through the newest episode of ‘Arduous Courtroom’‘, recorded after Williams’ defeat at Indian Wells, Kafelnikov stated: “Have you ever learn Dmitry Tursunov’s telegram?
“After one other Venus Williams defeat, he stated, I’ve unbelievable respect for Venus Williams’ achievements. A number of Grand Slam singles champion, world primary, but it surely’s time.
“The wildcard into the primary draw can be helpful for a lot of ladies. The identical method Maria Sharapova obtained one in her time. This wildcard may have been used extra productively, and I, in precept, utterly agree with him.”
Williams is again in motion when she goes up in opposition to Francesca Jones within the Miami Open Spherical of 128 on Wednesday.
The final time Williams received a WTA singles match was on the Kaohsiung Open in Taiwan in February 2016.
Venus Williams (Picture: Getty)
Talking about her kind and the shedding run earlier than the Australian Open in January, Williams stated: “I am hitting the ball rather well. I can not count on perfection proper now, however I do know I am taking part in good tennis.
“Successful and shedding doesn’t know any age. When you stroll on court docket, you are there to compete. It is a phenomenal sport. I really like what I do, and it is a blessing and an honour to nonetheless be taking part in.”
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Williams battled arduous on the Melbourne match however she was overwhelmed 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 in opposition to Olga Danilovic and excited the competitors on the first spherical having didn’t compete within the earlier 4.
Whereas Williams is because of compete in Miami, somebody that will not be concerned is Emma Raducanu, after the British No.1 pulled out to concentrate on recovering from sickness. She turned unwell whereas competing within the Center East final month, and remains to be struggling with post-viral signs.
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