Tournament officials announced today that seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, four-time Olympic gold medalist, and former singles and doubles World No. 1 Venus Williams will make her Citi Open debut this summer in Rock Creek Park. The American sports icon has accepted a wild card into the historic Washington tournament, where she will compete in singles for the first time.
“I am excited to be playing the Citi Open for the first time this summer,” said Williams. “I love Washington, DC, and returning to the nation’s capital to play in front of a community that has supported me so strongly feels like a homecoming. I am looking forward to being back on the courts and competing in DC soon.”
Williams is no stranger to DC sports fans. She competed in World TeamTennis for nine seasons with the Washington Kastles. She was a member of the undefeated 2011 and 2012 championship teams and was named Finals MVP in 2012. But this will be her first appearance at the Citi Open.
For four decades, Williams has transcended sports and tennis record books. In 2002, she became the first African American woman in the Open Era to clinch the World No. 1 ranking in singles, and in 2010, reached the No. 1 ranking in doubles with her sister Serena. Since turning pro in 1994, Williams has won an astounding 49 career singles and 24 career doubles titles, including seven Grand Slam singles trophies, 14 Grand Slam doubles crowns, and two Grand Slam mixed doubles championships.
Williams has also been a record-setter at the Olympics, winning gold at the 2000, 2008, and 2012 Summer Games. In 2000, she became only the second player in history to win gold in both singles and doubles at the same Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
“We are thrilled to welcome Venus to the 2022 Citi Open and Washington, DC, and to give our fans a chance to cheer for one of the greatest athletes of all time in person,” said Citi Open Chairman Mark Ein. “Venus is an icon who has transcended sports to become a role model for millions of people around the world and in our community. The opportunity to watch her live at the Citi Open for the first time will be a life-long memory for all of our fans.”
Williams joins a stacked 2022 Citi Open field that will feature four former World No. 1 players, seven Grand Slam champions, three former Citi Open titlists, four Olympic gold medalists, and 10 Top-20 players from the ATP and WTA Tours, including three-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 Andy Murray, 2022 Wimbledon finalist and 2019 Citi Open champion Nick Kyrgios, DC's own Frances Tiafoe, American No. 1 and 2022 Indian Wells champion Taylor Fritz, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, two-time Grand Slam champions and former World No. 1s Simona Halep and Victoria Azarenka, 2015 Citi Open and 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, and more!
Don't miss this rare chance to see Venus LIVE in DC! Single session tickets and full tournament packages are still available, but selling at a record pace. Click below, call (202) 721-9500, or email [email protected] to lock in your seats now!