Miami tosses wildcard lifeline to three big names

The Miami Masters reached back into the archives with a wild card entry for three-time winner Venus Williams with former Grand Slam champions Caroline Wozniacki and Emma Raducanu also benefitting.

Williams 43, now qualifies as a part-timer, with her last appearance on court a first-round loss at the US Open six months ago.

She last reached the second round of a Tour event in 2019 with a grass quarter final in Birmingham nearly half a decade ago.

Williams has always considered Miami a home event, winning the last of her three titles well over two decades ago in 2002.

Wozniacki, who retired from tennis to start a family and is now a mother of two, has been attempting a comeback at age 33 since last summer. The Dane reached the 2017 final and last competed here in the 2019 fourth round.

The 21-year-old Raducanu has fallen flat since a US Open title from a qualifying start in 2021, with the Briton and her family team notorious for changing coaches after only a few months on the job.

No. 252 Raducanu is also aiming at a comeback after missing half of 2023 with injury. 

She last played the event a year ago, exiting in the first round on her second Miami appearance.

She stands 3-5 this season, reaching the second round in Auckland, Melbourne and Abu Dhabi, here last time on court earlier this month.

Main photo:- US Open 2023 Wildcard Venus Williams wearing shocking pink “night attire” lost first round match 6-1 6-1 in just one hour 13 minutes. by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd