Venus Williams is set to compete at Roland Garros for the first time since 2021. The 45-year-old will partner Hailey Baptiste in the doubles draw.
At 45, Venus Williams heads back to the French Open after a five-year absence from the main draw. She teams with Hailey Baptiste and gains direct entry based on their combined rankings, avoiding the need for a wildcard. This marks her first appearance at the tournament since 2021, when she exited in the opening round alongside Coco Gauff.
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Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has accepted a wild card entry into the 2026 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. The 45-year-old American will compete in both singles and doubles, marking her return to the event since 2024. Tournament director Tommy Haas described the invitation as an honor for the tennis legend.
Amid buzz including Novak Djokovic's recent endorsement, former players Naomi Broady and Naomi Cavaday predict Serena Williams could reunite with sister Venus for doubles at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The 44-year-old 23-time Grand Slam singles champion became eligible after re-entering tennis' anti-doping program late 2025.
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Following her February eligibility reinstatement, Novak Djokovic voiced confidence in Serena Williams' return to professional tennis during an Indian Wells Masters press conference. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion's potential comeback has generated excitement among players, with Djokovic speculating on doubles with sister Venus.
Mirra Andreeva beat Hailey Baptiste 6-4, 7-6 (8) on Thursday to advance to the Mutua Madrid Open final. The 19-year-old saved three set points in a dramatic second set and became the first teenager to reach three WTA 1000 finals since 2009. She will face the winner of Marta Kostyuk and Anastasia Potapova on Saturday.
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Ajla Tomljanovic came from behind to beat Venus Williams 6-4, 6-1 in the first round of the ATX Open. The 32-year-old Australian advanced to face Iva Jovic after the teenager's win over Anna Blinkova. In another match, Dalma Galfi overcame Bianca Andreescu in three sets.
Ahead of the 2026 Indian Wells and Miami Sunshine Double, tennis legend Martina Navratilova discusses the rarity of winning both, assesses top players like resurgent Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, praises emerging young talents, and backs Sabalenka to claim the Indian Wells title when the main draw begins March 4.
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Hailey Baptiste's dramatic upset victory over world number one Aryna Sabalenka has boosted her ranking and confidence, yet former player John Isner sees her as a top 20 talent rather than a top 10 contender this year.