Venus Williams, 44, awarded wild card entry to compete at Indian Wells.

Tennis icon Venus Williams has been granted a wild card entry for next month’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, marking her first tournament appearance in nearly a year.

Williams, 44, has not competed since her first-round exit at the 2024 Miami Open and has not won a match on tour since August 2023.

Next month will be her 10th appearance at Indian Wells, where she first competed in 1994.

Williams, a three-time semifinalist at the tournament, had previously boycotted the event from 2002 to 2016 after her sister Serena was subjected to boos in the 2001 final, and both sisters faced racist abuse.

In her most recent appearance at Indian Wells, Venus lost in the first round to Japan’s Nao Hibino.

While no longer at her peak, Williams' illustrious career includes seven Grand Slam singles titles, 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, and two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. She also won gold in singles at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and three golds in doubles (2000, 2008, and 2012).

However, due to injuries in recent years, Williams has played sparingly and is currently ranked 974th in the world.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitová has also received a wild card entry for the women’s draw. The 34-year-old returns to action after a 15-month hiatus following the birth of her first child.

The BNP Paribas Open will take place from March 2-16.