EASTBOURNE, England (AP) — Venus Williams has broken with tradition and entered a warmup tournament before Wimbledon.
The 30-year-old American has agreed to play at the Eastbourne International from June 11-18 for the first time since 1998.
Williams and her sister Serena usually head home to Florida after the French Open to complete their preparations for Wimbledon, which Venus has won five times.
However, both sisters are short on match play. Serena hasn’t played since winning Wimbledon last year, while Venus hasn’t been in competitive action since retiring from her third-round match at January’s Australian Open with a hip injury.
Venus is next due to play at the Brussels Open, the last tournament before the French Open begins May 22.
