Venus Williams Accepts A Wild Card Into Dubai

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 10th February 2014

Venus Williams Accepts A Wild Card Into Dubai

epa04018155 Venus Williams of US is seen during her first round match against Ekaterina Makarova of Russia at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 13 January 2014. EPA/MARK DADSWELL AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY |

With sister Serena withdrawing from WTA tennis over the next month as she claims an Australian Open back injury, Venus Williams is suddenly making up the numbers for the unpredictable sister act as she plays at the Dubai Open starting next week.

The elder sibling overturned all predictions when she surprisingly accepted a wild card return to the Gulf emirate where she last appeared in 2010, winning a second title at the desert venue. The 33-year-old No. 48 was the first from her family to crash out of the Australian Open, losing in the first round, She was followed by Serena, beaten a week later by Ana Ivanovic.

Serena Williams withdrew from both the Doha event this week as well as Dubai and will not play the Indian Wells Masters to honor the Williams family’s traditional boycott of the tournament which they feel did them wrong 13 years ago through crowd jeering.

Venus is entered in a Dubai WTA field which features six of the world’s top 10, though it will be missing Serena and world number two Victoria Azarenka, still nursing a foot injury which led to her early Melbourne, dismissal as a two-time champion and holder.

Williams first came to Dubai in 2002 and won back-to-back titles in 2009-2010, only the second woman along with four-time champion Justin Henin to win multiple titles in the Gulf.

We wish Venus a very happy healthy 2014 ! Save some room in that trophy case there’s still more titles to come.

Topics: 10sballs, Ana Ivanovic, Dubai Open, Indian Wells, Serena Williams, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Wta