(Toronto) The winner of seven Grand Slam titles Venus Williams has obtained a bye from the organizers of the National Bank Open, whose women’s section will be presented in Toronto in August.
Posted at 11:39 a.m.
She will be in the Toronto leg of the tournament for the first time since 2019. She will be competing in the singles draw of a WTA tournament for the first time since last August.
The former world No. 1 and five-time Wimbledon champion played her last tournament at the All England Club a few weeks ago, when she teamed up with Jamie Murray in the mixed doubles draw.
Williams has won 41 tournaments on the WTA Tour and an Olympic gold medal.
Her sister Serena will also be at the Toronto tournament, as she takes part in her first hard-court tournament in North America in two years.
She also played the tournament for the last time in 2019. Back spasms forced her to forfeit the final against Canadian Bianca Andreescu.
Andreescu, of Mississauga, also received a bye from the organizers. Three more will be awarded to Canadian players closer to the tournament, to be played August 6-14.