(Montreal) American Venus Williams has received a pass to participate in the main draw of the National Bank Open, the organizing committee announced in a press release Monday morning.
Williams, a former world No. 1 who has won seven career Grand Slam titles, will take part in the tournament for the first time since 2018.
The 43-year-old, who will be making her 12th appearance at the Canadian tournament, has won 49 singles titles and made 83 career finals, the most among active players.
“Venus continues to be an inspiration with her tireless efforts and determination to get back to the top of her game, and we can’t wait to see (her) on the courts at IGA Stadium,” said Valérie Tétreault, Director of the National Bank Open in Montreal.
Her best result in Montreal was a place in the final in 2014, where she lost 6-4, 6-2 to Poland’s Agniezska Radwanska.
More recently, Williams lost 6-4, 6-3 to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the first round of Wimbledon.
The pass awarded to Williams – a top-20 pass – is reserved for players who have previously held No. 1 in the world, made the top-20 in 2022, or have previously won a Grand Slam tournament , the WTA Finals or a singles 1000 class event.
This is the second pass granted for this year’s tournament, after the one given to Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki at the end of June.
The tournament organizing committee will reveal the rest of the list of participants on July 13. In addition, three tournament byes that will be awarded to Canadian women will be announced closer to the competition.
The National Bank Open will take place from August 4 to 13.