SUMMARY
- Venus Williams is set to play at Indian Wells as a wildcard next month.
- However, fans were unhappy as they pointed out how both Venus and Emma have failed to use the wildcards well.
The 2024 WTA season is off to a flying start, and the second month on the tour looks promising as well. However, Emma Raducanu and Venus Williams have already found themselves in a bit of a sticky spot. The two Grand Slam champions have struggled on the tour, albeit for different reasons, and the bone of contention is nothing other than wildcards.
Venus has not been at her best for a while now. She has been facing consistency issues, and her injuries have not helped either. Despite the problems, Williams is still an active player, and she often gets wildcards into tournaments.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion is now set to play at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells next month. She has a good record at the tournament, and she will compete in California for the first time since 2019.
Venus Williams will play on, taking a wild card at age 43 into the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where she has not played since 2019
Caroline Wozniacki also gets a wild card into Indian Wells, and also has one in San Diego the week before that#getty #tennis pic.twitter.com/MFB5jZz4GW
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) February 13, 2024
Venus will get a wildcard into the tournament. Unfortunately, this decision has not sat well with fans, who feel Venus does not deserve one anymore.
Many believe that Venus and Raducanu waste the wildcards they are handed. Users took to social media to level criticism at the players for getting “unfair” wildcards. Here are a few reactions to the news.
Now this is where the wc should b stopped. People complaining this wk about raducanu when tournaments r wasting them on a 43 yr old who hasn’t shown any form in yrs.
— 2012 (@Bufferb2012) February 13, 2024
I think it’s time to stop giving Venus WCs. Made sense before, but now it’s just not fair.
— CM T (@cmt2160) February 13, 2024
Emma Raducanu and Venus Williams have undoubtedly been struggling, particularly Venus. However, all eyes will be on the young Briton, as she finds her footing again.
Emma Raducanu and Venus Williams have struggled for a while now
Injuries derailed Emma‘s career in 2023. She underwent surgeries on both wrists and an ankle and was sidelined for eight months. Emma made her comeback at the ASB Classic in Auckland earlier this year, but it has not been a smooth road.
The former US Open champion defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the first round before Elina Svitolina ousted her. She then got a wildcard at the Australian Open but made it to the main draw since several players withdrew. Raducanu won the match against Shelby Rogers in straight sets but bowed out against Wang Yafan.
Emma got a wildcard to play at the Abu Dhabi Open next, but she failed to capitalize on it either. Ons Jabeur knocked her out in the second round.
a decisive debut 🫡
No.2 seed @Ons_Jabeur moves past Raducanu in straight sets!#MubadalaAbuDhabiOpen pic.twitter.com/nUCehglaHt
— wta (@WTA) February 7, 2024
Venus is pretty much in the same boat as well. Currently ranked 480th in the world, Williams has not played a match since losing to Greet Minnen in the first round of the US Open. Moreover, Venus has only played as a wildcard at every tournament since her comeback in 2022.
Indian Wells is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit. Both Venus Williams and Emma Raducanu will hope for their fortunes to change soon.