The winner of seven Grand Slam titles Venus Williams obtained a pass from the organizers of the National Bank Open, whose women’s section will be presented in August in Toronto.
She will be in the Toronto leg of the tournament for the first time since 2019. It will also be her first appearance on the singles draw at a WTA tournament since August 2021. The former world number 1 and five-time champion at Wimbledon 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 in the Toronto tournament; she will then participate in her first hard-court tournament in North America in two years. She too last played the tournament in 2019; Back spasms then 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, which is scheduled to be played August 6-14.
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