Venus Williams will soon make her debut at the ATX Open in Austin, having received a wildcard for the Texas tournament.
Williams returned to the WTA Tour last summer following a 16-month break, winning her opening match in Washington.
Since then, however, the seven-time Grand Slam champion has lost six successive matches, suffering her latest defeat at the Australian Open.
Williams fell in the first round of the Australian Open, with the 45-year-old having received a wildcard for the Melbourne Grand Slam.
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Venus Williams should play doubles with Iva Jovic in Texas
The American legend has now accepted another wildcard for this month’s ATX Open, which begins later this month.
Confirming her appearance in singles and doubles, she said: ‘I’m so excited to be heading to Austin and playing my first ATX Open.
“The city has such great energy and I’ve heard the fans are incredible. I’m looking forward to playing both singles and doubles in front of such a passionate tennis community.”
Her fellow American Iva Jovic will also play at the WTA 250 event in Texas, and she represents a fantastic potential doubles partner for the veteran.
Jovic was among the Australian Open standouts, with the 18-year-old storming to the quarterfinals in Melbourne before falling to world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
Tennis fans would undoubtedly love to see a Williams and Jovic partnership, which would feature two Americans at opposing ends of their exciting careers.
Jovic just played Australian Open doubles with fellow rising star Victoria Mboko, while Williams competed alongside Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Following the first Grand Slam of the season, Jovic is now ranked 20th in the world, representing a career-high for the teenager.
Jessica Pegula will be out to defend her ATX Open title
Jovic and Williams aren’t the only American stars taking on the ATX Open, which is hosted by Westwood Country Club.
Australian Open semifinalist Jessica Pegula will be out to defend her title, having beaten compatriot McCartney Kessler in last year’s final.
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Kessler has also signed up for the tournament, alongside fellow Americans Peyton Stearns and Ashlyn Krueger.
Following the event, the WTA Tour will move on to Indian Wells and Miami, which should be a hugely entertaining and dramatic stage of the season.
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