FILE–Venus Williams of the U.S. serves against Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in the first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
LONDON—Former champions Venus Williams and Andy Murray were named in Wimbledon’s initial list of wildcards on Wednesday for this month’s grasscourt Grand Slam.
American Williams, who will turn 41 on Thursday, has won five out of her seven Grand Slam singles titles at Wimbledon but has slipped to 103rd in the women’s world rankings.
She has not made it past the opening round at any tournament since reaching the second round of the Australian Open in February.
FILE PHOTO: Britain’s Andy Murray during his first round match against Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka at the French Open, September 27, 2020 REUTERS/Charles Platiau
Britain’s Murray won Wimbledon titles in 2013 and 2016 but is currently ranked 124th having endured a spate of injuries in the past few years.
Murray underwent hip resurfacing surgery in January 2019 and his comeback has also been complicated by niggling injuries which have limited his participation in tournaments.
The 34-year-old made an emotional return to playing on grass after three years on Monday when he defeated Frenchman Benoit Paire 6-3 6-2 at the Queen’s Club championships.