WUHAN, August 29, 2018 (Press Release)
Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams will return to China for next month’s Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open after accepting a wildcard into the $2,746,250 WTA Premier 5 tournament, which will be held in the Central Chinese city of Wuhan 21st-29th September.
Williams, who is currently competing at the US Open, is the latest illustrious name to join this year’s spectacular Wuhan Open field and her entry means that all twenty of the WTA world’s Top 20 are set to compete in Wuhan. Williams won the singles title in Wuhan in 2015 and is a big favourite with Chinese fans.
Williams’ entry means that Wuhan Open will celebrate its fifth birthday by hosting all three of its former singles champions – Petra Kvitova (2014, 2016) and Caroline Garcia (2017) are also entered into the tournament.
Venus Williams said:
“I love playing in China because the fans there are so great and always really appreciative. I have some fun memories of winning Wuhan in 2015 so I’m excited that I’ll get a chance to go back there. Every year it’s such a tough field in Wuhan so I’ll be ready to compete hard amongst some really great players.”
Fabrice Chouquet, Co-Tournament Director, said:
“Venus is an icon of our sport and we’re honoured and thrilled to have her competing in Wuhan again this year. She has achieved so much and is a huge favourite with fans around the world, but especially here in Wuhan where she has a special place in people’s hearts after lifting the trophy here in 2015.”
Venus Williams fast facts:
Age: 38
Currently ranked: 16
Won: Seven Grand Slam singles titles – Wimbledon 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008 and US Open 2000, 2001
Finalist: Runner-up eight times – US Open 1997, 2002; Wimbledon 2002, 2003, 2017; Roland Garros 2002; Australian Open 2003 and 2017
Won: Wuhan Open 2015 (beating Garbiñe Muguruza in the final)
Aryna Sabalenka, the young Belarussian who recently broke through to the Top 20 after winning the biggest title of her career so far at the WTA Premier Connecticut Open, is also among the stars coming to Wuhan. Sabalenka, aged 20, rose from 31 to 20 in the WTA Rankings after Saturday’s victory in New Haven.
