Former world number one calls for Venus Williams to stop getting wildcards

Former world number one calls for Venus Williams to stop getting wildcards

Add as preferred source on Google

Venus Williams has misplaced her final eight matches on the WTA Tour.

The American tennis legend has been given wild playing cards to play occasions since her return on the Washington Open final yr.

But since successful her first-round match in Washington, Williams has failed to take advantage of these wild playing cards.

Who will win the Miami Open in 2026?

Vote now!

Reacting to her newest defeat at Indian Wells, former world number one Yevgeny Kafelnikov known as for Williams to stop getting wildcards.

Yevgeny Kafelnikov believes different gamers are extra deserving of wildcards than Venus Williams

During the most recent episode of ‘Hard Court‘, Kafelnikov said the following.

“Have you read Dmitry Tursunov’s telegram?” he mentioned.

“After another Venus Williams defeat, he said, I have incredible respect for Venus Williams’ achievements. Multiple Grand Slam singles champion, world number one, but it’s time.

Venus Williams’ Grand Slam singles titles

“The wild card into the main draw would be useful for many girls.

“The same way Maria Sharapova received one in her time.

“This wild card could have been used more productively, and I, in principle, completely agree with him.”

Venus Williams pictured at the 2026 Australian Open
Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP by way of Getty Images

Kafelnikov agrees with Tursunov and doesn’t assume Williams deserves any extra wildcards.

Looking at her current type, the Russian duo may need some extent…

Venus Williams’ dropping run

LossMatchOpponentResultScoreDays since final win
2025 Washington Open – 1RPeyton StearnsWIN6-3, 6-40
12025 Washington Open – 2RMagdalena FrechLOSS2-6, 2-62
22025 Cincinnati Open – 1RJessica Bouzas ManeiroLOSS4-6, 4-615
32025 US Open – 1RKarolina MuchovaLOSS3-6, 6-2, 1-634
42026 ASB Classic – 1RMagda LinetteLOSS4-6, 6-4, 2-6167
52026 Hobart International – 1RTatjana MariaLOSS4-6, 3-6174
62026 Australian Open – 1ROlga DanilovicLOSS7-6, 3-6, 4-6179
72026 ATX Open – 1RAjla TomljanovicLOSS4-6, 1-6216
82026 Indian Wells – 1RDiane ParryLOSS3-6, 7-6, 1-6225
2026 Miami Open – 1RFrancesca JonesTBDTBD238
Venus Williams’ dropping streak on the WTA Tour

Williams hasn’t received a match in 238 days, ‘wasting’ a handful of untamed playing cards over that interval.

She’s been given one other for the upcoming Miami Open.

There, she’s going to play Great Britain’s Francesca Jones, who’s on a dropping streak of her personal.

Francesca Jones’ dropping run

LossMatchOpponentResultScoreDays since final win
2026 ASB Classic – 2RSinja KrausWIN1-6, 6-4, 6-10
12026 ASB Classic – QFXinyu WangLOSS4-6, 3-4 (RET)1
22026 Australian Open – 1RLinda KlimovicovaLOSS2-6, 2-3 (RET)12
32026 ATX Open – 1RPeyton StearnsLOSS6-3, 3-6, 2-649
42026 Indian Wells – 1RKayla DayLOSS3-6, 1-657
52026 Miami Open – 1RVenus WilliamsTBDTBD70
Francesca Jones’ dropping run on the WTA Tour

Neither participant will step out on court docket feeling assured.

But if Williams is ever going to decide up one other win, certainly that is her greatest probability!

Has Venus Williams ever received the Miami Open?

Yes, she has!

The 45-year-old received her first-ever WTA 1000 title on the Miami Open again in 1998.

Venus Williams on the 1998 Miami Open

Williams defeated Russia’s Anna Kournikova within the closing to win the primary of her 9 WTA 1000 titles.

Venus Williams celebrates after winning the 1998 Miami Open
28 Mar 1998: A portrait of Venus Williams taken as she poses for the digicam together with her trophie in the course of the tenth day of the Lipton Championships in Key Biscayne, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport

She repeated the feat a yr later, defending the title, beating her sister, Serena Williams, within the closing.

Venus Williams on the 1999 Miami Open

Williams by no means received one other Miami Open title, though she did attain the ultimate in 2010, dropping out to Kim Clijsters.

It’s extremely unlikely that Williams will add to her tally in 2026, however a single win would certainly really feel simply as rewarding.

Williams will play Jones within the first spherical of the Miami Open on Wednesday, March 18.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *