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Venus Williams to hit new tennis milestone at Indian Wells
The tennis legend will tie Francesca Schiavone for 6th on the all-time main draw appearance list at WTA 1000 events.
Feb. 26, 2026 at 7:06pm
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Venus Williams is preparing to make her return to the Indian Wells tournament, where she will have the opportunity to reach a new career milestone. The 42-year-old tennis legend has received a wildcard entry into the event and is set to tie Francesca Schiavone for sixth place on the all-time main draw appearance list at Tier I / WTA 1000 events since the format began in 1990.
Why it matters
Venus Williams is one of the most accomplished and iconic players in women's tennis history. Her continued participation at the highest levels of the sport, even at 42 years old, is a testament to her longevity and competitive spirit. Reaching this milestone at Indian Wells, a premier event on the WTA calendar, will further cement her legacy as one of the greats of the game.
The details
In addition to tying Schiavone's record, Williams also sits ahead of Petra Kvitova and Ai Sugiyama on the all-time main draw appearance list. She also ranks fourth all-time in terms of match wins at WTA 1000 events, with 214 victories. The only players ahead of her are her sister Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, and Maria Sharapova.
- Venus Williams will make her return to Indian Wells this year.
- The Indian Wells draw is set to be released on Monday, February 27, 2026.
The players
Venus Williams
A 42-year-old tennis legend and former world No. 1 player, who has won 7 Grand Slam singles titles and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles over her illustrious career.
Francesca Schiavone
A retired Italian professional tennis player who won the 2010 French Open and is currently tied with Venus Williams for 6th on the all-time main draw appearance list at Tier I / WTA 1000 events.
Petra Kvitova
A retired Czech professional tennis player who finished her career with 109 main draw appearances at Tier I / WTA 1000 events, a record Venus Williams has now surpassed.
Ai Sugiyama
A retired Japanese professional tennis player who finished her career with 107 main draw appearances at Tier I / WTA 1000 events, a record Venus Williams has now surpassed.
Serena Williams
Venus Williams' sister and one of the greatest tennis players of all time, with 263 match wins at the WTA 1000 level, the most of any player.
What’s next
The Indian Wells draw will be announced on Monday, February 27, 2026, where Venus Williams will learn her path in both the singles and doubles events.
The takeaway
Venus Williams' continued participation at the highest levels of tennis, even at 42 years old, is a remarkable achievement that solidifies her legacy as one of the all-time greats of the sport. Reaching this milestone at Indian Wells will be a testament to her longevity, competitive spirit, and enduring impact on the game of tennis.
