Elina Svitolina on Wednesday was awarded a wild card entry into the Wimbledon main draw, as the Ukrainian competes in London for the first time since becoming a mother.
The No. 73 has been making a return to the Tour after giving birth last October to a daughter with husband Gael Monfils. She lost her only grass match since 2021 this week in Birmingham.
Svitolina’s best performance at the All England Club was a 2019 semi-final.
Also handed a free entry was 43-year-old Venus Williams, champion at Wimbledon five times – most recently in 2008.
The American who had not competed on the WTA since the first days of January earned a surprise win in Birmingham this week over Italian Camila Giorgi.
Local British players received the majority of the free entries for the grass court major starting on July 3.
Women’s wild cards included weekend Nottingham champion Katie Boulter, runner-up Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart, Katie Swan and Heather Watson.
It was equally Brit-centric on the men’s side, with freebies handed to Liam Broady, Jan Choinski, George Loffhagen and Ryan Peniston.
Main photo:- Elina Svitolina celebrates winning third round match at French Open 2023 by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
