Venus to D.C.: Williams in Citi Open field for first time

Seven-time Grand Slam tennis champion Venus Williams will be in the field for the upcoming Citi Open in the District for the first time.

Williams has accepted a wild-card entry into the D.C. tournament, organizers announced Thursday, returning to singles play for the first time in 12 months. She recently paired with Britain’s Jamie Murray in the mixed-doubles tournament at Wimbledon but hasn’t played a singles match on tour since August last year.

“I am excited to be playing the Citi Open for the first time this summer,” Williams said. “I love Washington, D.C., and returning to the nation’s capital to play in front of a community that has supported me so strongly feels like a homecoming.”

Williams previously played for nine seasons with the Washington Kastles of World TeamTennis and becomes the sixth different major winner and third former world No. 1 in the Citi Open women’s field. It was announced earlier this week that she along with her sister, Serena, will be in the field at the WTA 1000 event next month in Canada.

The women’s event at Fitzgerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park returns as a WTA 250-level competition this year for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic. It runs concurrently with the men’s ATP 500-level event from July 30 to Aug. 7.