Andy Roddick defends Venus Williams after Wimbledon questioned over wildcard

Venus Williams is worthy of a wildcard berth at Wimbledon this 12 months as a result of she’s Venus Williams. That’s the view of former world No 1 Andy Roddick, who has defended the choice of the Grand Slam to ask her by drawing consideration to the 43-year-old’s excellent report on the All England Club.

Williams has solely simply returned to the courts after being sidelined with an harm since January, profitable two of simply three singles matches to date this 12 months. That extended absence has seen her world rating drop to 554th, however she has nonetheless been handed an entry into his 12 months’s grasscourt main due to the wildcard system.

That resolution has upset some tennis followers, who imagine that her place ought to have gone to a youthful competitor a lot larger up the WTA rankings, with some voices claiming that bias performs a task in deciding on wildcard entries.

But three-time Wimbledon finalist Roddick was fast to leap to his compatriot’s defence when he noticed a discerning touch upon social media.

Justifying the explanations for inclusion, American Roddick tweeted: “Because she’s won that tournament five times, adds value to the tournament, and is Venus Williams.”

Although Williams didn’t seem at Wimbledon final 12 months, she has an general singles report on the match of 90 wins and simply 18 defeats. She gained the ladies’s singles title in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008 she has additionally been a crushed finalist on 4 events, dropping to her sister Serena thrice.

But when paired together with her sibling for doubles matches, their report is solely outstanding. The pair have gained all six of their appearances in ladies’s doubles finals at Wimbledon and didn’t lose a single Grand Slam ultimate collectively in 14 appearances throughout all 4 Slams.

Organisers will look to Williams’ report as a adequate cause to grant her a wildcard place subsequent week, however not everyone seems to be on the identical web page with the choice to award her a match spot.

@bvandergiessen tweeted: “She doesn’t have the level anymore, she’s on the list because spectators want to see her there, as a five-time champion. And most spectators also want to see British players.”

@zestsportsM wrote: “She does Not deserve it. Players like Roger, Serena and unknowns deserve. What did She do to grow Tennis in the world ..? Winning only is selfish. Roger was in Malawi Serena in Kenya and they continue to fund Africa grass root Tennis.”

@FdoBalderas added: “Que desperdicio!!!!,” which interprets as “What a waste” and @YawDarkwo wrote: “What’s the aim here? Because she can’t win a slam and she hasn’t won one in a very long time.”