Former world No 1 Venus Williams is set to make a Wimbledon return

Former world No 1 Venus Williams is set to make a shock Wimbledon return as five-time winner submits last-minute wildcard request to pair up with Brit Jamie Murray in the mixed doubles

• Venus Williams set for Wimbledon return with Jamie Murray in the mixed doubles
• The five-time Wimbledon winner last played on the WTA Tour in August last year
• The world No. 570 requested a wildcard spot in the doubles, but not the singles

Venus Williams will make a shock Wimbledon return by teaming up with Jamie Murray in the mixed doubles.

The 42-year-old, who has won the Wimbledon women’s singles title five times, women’s doubles title six times and was a mixed doubles finalist in 2006, has put in a last-minute request for a wildcard into the tournament draw.

The American, however, last played on the WTA Tour in August last year and has since been sidelined with a leg injury as she finds herself at No. 570 in the world.

Venus Williams (pictured) will make her Wimbledon return by teaming up with Jamie Murray

The 42-year-old put in a request for a wildcard into the tournament draw in the mixed doubles

The former world No.1 has not requested a wildcard for the women’s singles, but she is set to line-up next to Murray – who won the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon in 2007 and 2017, according to The Evening Standard.

The pair have never previously played together but could follow in the footsteps of their famous siblings Serena and Andy, who became fan favourites when they got to the third round together at the All England Club in 2019.

Venus previously stated she would not be appearing at Wimbledon this year, posting on social media earlier this month: ‘No I’m not playing but I’ll be watching, I’ll be watching Serena.

Murray won the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon in 2007 and 2017 will be Williams partner

‘I hope that Serena playing Wimbledon will help you with your Williams fix.’ 

It appears as though she’s had a change of heart as she made a surprise arrival on the site and has been practicing at Aorangi Park and although her request has not yet been confirmed, it seems very likely to be accepted when the list is finalised.

Venus will join her sister Serena Williams, who is set to make her eagerly anticipated return to competition, when she takes on Harmony Tan in the first round.

The seven-time Wimbledon champion hasn’t played a singles match since retiring because of a torn hamstring in her opening match a year ago. 

She began her comeback last week in doubles at Eastbourne, advancing to the semifinals with partner Ons Jabeur before Jabeur was forced to withdraw because of a knee injury.

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