Dubai: Two-time winner Venus Williams has been granted a wild card to compete in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at Garhoud’s Dubai Tennis Stadium from February 17 to 22.
The 33-year-old American former World No.1 and seven-time Grand Slam winner, joins a star-studded field consisting of six of the world’s current top 10.
Williams reached the semi-finals and quarter-finals here in 2002 and 2004 but suffered a shock first round defeat to Sylvia Farina in 2005. Since then she has remained unbeaten in Dubai, claiming back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010 — becoming only the second woman behind four-time winner Justin Henin to win multiple titles here.
In 2011, Williams was diagnosed with the career-threatening Sjogren’s Syndrome, a disease that affects the saliva and tear glands. She’s endured stuttering form since then, but recently reached the semi-finals in Tokyo and final in Auckland.
She also reached the semi-finals in Charleston and Florianapolis and remains a doubles threat alongside her sister Serena, with the pair reaching the semi-finals of the US Open last year.
“Venus Williams is one of the greatest players of this century and it is with great pleasure that we welcome her back to Dubai,” said Colm McLoughlin, executive vice-chairman of tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free. “She has given us wonderful entertainment in her many previous visits to Dubai and, despite the problems she has suffered with her health, she continues to demonstrate that she is one of the toughest competitors in the game.”
Tournament director Salah Tahlak added: “Venus Williams has been a great attraction for many years wherever she plays and we are delighted to see her return to Dubai. Despite her being such an accomplished champion, the entry list for the tournament is so strong that her current ranking did not qualify her for direct entry into the main draw, and we are pleased to offer her a wild card.”
Three other past champions — last year’s winner Petra Kvitova, 2012 champion Agnieszka Radwanska and 2011 victor Caroline Wozniacki — will also compete, along with the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) most improved player of 2013, Simona Halep.
Former US Open winner Samantha Stosur, former world No.1s Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic and 2013 runner-up Sara Errani are also in the draw.
Former world No.3 Nadia Petrova has also been granted a wild card. Injury during the second half of last season saw her restricted to just one event after Wimbledon but, when fit, the 31-year-old Russian has beaten the best. Previous victories over Radwanska, Wozniacki, both Williams sisters, Ivanovic and Stosur make her a real threat for the tournament.
The women’s tournament precedes the men’s event, which runs from February 24 to March 1. For more information on tickets log on to www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com or call +971 4 4172415.