Venus Williams, Elina Svitolina awarded wild cards into Wimbledon main draw

WATCH: Venus Knocks Off Giorgi

Five-time Wimbledon singles champion Venus Williams will make her 24th appearance at the All England Club after headlining the initial list of wild cards announced Wednesday.

Williams, 43, holds a 90-18 record at the grass-court major. The former world No. 1 picked up her second WTA win of the season in Birmingham Monday when she battled past Camila Giorgi after three hours and 17 minutes. The American’s most recent win in a Grand Slam event occurred at 2021 Wimbledon when she overcame Mihaela Buzarnescu.

Former semifinalist Elina Svitolina was also awarded a place in the main draw. Fresh off an inspiring run to the Roland Garros quarterfinals, the Ukrainian has worked her way well back inside the Top 100 at No. 73 after returning from maternity leave in early April at Charleston’s WTA 500 event. Her grass-court season debut in Birmingham didn’t go to plan, as Svitolina was dismissed, 6-2, 6-0, by 18-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova.

Katie Boulter and Jodie Burrage, who faced off in a historic Nottingham final last Sunday, were among the local favorites to receive wild cards. Boulter’s maiden WTA triumph vaulted the Leicester native to a career-high No. 77 in Monday’s rankings. For her efforts, Burrage climbed back to two spots off her highest ranking at No. 108, respectively.

Former world No. 7 David Goffin and five British players were named recipients of main-draw slots on the men’s side. John Isner and Jack Sock accepted a wild card to play the men’s doubles event.