Venus Williams given Indian Wells wildcard entry at age of 44

At 44, playing in the professional circuit in tennis is just next to impossible. Not many last that long given the intensity the players bring to their game.

But American super star Venus Williams has made an incredible return to professional tennis when she got a wildcard entry to play in the next month's ATP and WTA Indian Wells tennis tournament.

The last time Williams played, she was ousted in three sets by little-known Japanese doubles player Nao Hibino in the first round of the last year’s BNP Paribas Open. Two weeks later she again lost in the first round to Russia's Diana Shnaider at the Miami Open with her knee injury returning to trouble her.

Venus, who made her debut at the Indian Wells way back in 1994, has slipped to a current ranking of world No 974. The seven-time Grand Slam champion and former world No 1 will make her 10th career appearance at Indian Wells.

Along with Williams, Petra Kvitova also earned the wildcard

Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova returns following the birth of her first child. The 34-year-old Czech left-hander gave birth to son Petr last July and makes a 13th trip to the California desert after a 15-month maternity absence.

Teen ATP stars Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien, who will make their main draw debuts at the venue, were also named to the event, set for March 5-16.

Fonseca, 18, won his first ATP title at last week's Argentina Open, becoming the youngest Brazilian to capture an ATP title in the Open era.

Tien, a 19-year-old American, reached the fourth round of the Australian Open last month, becoming the youngest player to reach the second week at Melbourne since Spaniard Rafael Nadal in 2005.