Venus Williams, Kvitova issued wildcards for Indian Wells

The National Times - Venus Williams, Kvitova issued wildcards for Indian Wells

SPORTS 19.02.2025

Venus Williams, Kvitova issued wildcards for Indian Wells / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File

Grand Slam champions Venus Williams and Petra Kvitova were among four wildcard entrants announced Wednesday for next month's ATP and WTA Indian Wells tennis tournament.

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Teen ATP stars Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien, who will make their main draw debuts at the venue, were also named to the event, set for March 5-16.

Williams is a seven-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one who will make her 10th career appearance at Indian Wells.

The 44-year-old American has not played in a WTA event since last March at Miami.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova returns following the birth of her first child. The 34-year-old Czech left-hander gave birth to son Petr last July and makes a 13th trip to the California desert after a 15-month maternity absence.

Fonseca, 18, won his first ATP title at last week's Argentina Open, becoming the youngest Brazilian to capture an ATP title in the Open era.

Tien, a 19-year-old American, reached the fourth round of the Australian Open last month, becoming the youngest player to reach the second week at Melbourne since Spaniard Rafael Nadal in 2005.

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The National Times - Venus Williams, Kvitova issued wildcards for Indian Wells