Venus Williams granted Cincinnati wild card after age-defying return to court
The seven-times Grand Slam singles champion became the oldest player to win a WTA singles match since 2004 when she beat world number 35 Peyton Stearns at the Washington Open on Tuesday, after a 16-month absence from the game.
Williams, who will play Polish fifth seed Magdalena Frech in the next round in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, previously declined a wild card entry invite for Indian Wells earlier this year.
The Cincinnati Open also offered a wild card invite to hometown talent Caty McNally, who recently returned to action after undergoing elbow surgery last year.
The main draw of the Cincinnati Open begins on August 7.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
21 minutes ago
- The Independent
Tommy Brooks, former coach to Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, dies aged 71 after cancer battle
Tommy Brooks has died at the age of 71, the legendary boxing coach passing away following a battle with cancer. Brooks is best known for his stint coaching former two-weight undisputed champion Evander Holyfield, while he also trained heavyweight great Mike Tyson. Promoter Lou DiBella confirmed the news of Brooks's passing on Tuesday (29 July). DiBella wrote on X/Twitter: 'Got more bad news a little while ago. It was just confirmed by his family that esteemed #boxing trainer Tommy Brooks died tonight, after having fought a very aggressive cancer. 'Too young. Great boxing man and even better person, he was just a solid dude. Shared many memorable nights with Tommy and his wife, Donna Duva, during the glory days of Main Events. 'My love and prayers to Donna and all their fam. This is now a real tough stretch of losing real #boxing people. It's getting to me.' Brooks won a national title in the US as an amateur boxer, before turning professional in 1977 and going 7-3. However, he is better known for his ensuing coaching career, having worked with Holyfield in the 1990s and 2000s, and Tyson during the latter decade. In fact, Brooks guided Holyfield to his two victories over 'Iron Mike' – in 1996 and 1997 – before partnering with the latter as Tyson looked to rebuild. Brooks coached Tyson up until 2002, parting ways with his fellow American after a defeat by Lennox Lewis. Brooks also worked with brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, who are considered heavyweight greats in their own right.
Daily Mail
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Raiders star responds to claims Christian Wilkins was cut after kissing teammate on head
Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler has provided a cryptic response to claims that his ex-teammate Christian Wilkins was cut following a bizarre act. Wilkins was reportedly released after he offended a teammate by kissing him on the head. The incident was allegedly not the sole reason that Jones was released, as the 29-year-old - who signed a $110million deal with the team last offseason - is also recovering from a fracture in his left foot. The Athletic's Tashan Reed also reported last week that Wilkins 'raised questions about his commitment' after declining to undergo a second procedure on his foot as the team wished. Nonetheless, Butler was asked on Tuesday about the situation surrounding Wilkins and - after initially saying the team has 'moved on from the situation' - he spoke at length about mental health. 'Whatever you're going through as a person – athlete, non-athlete – whatever your struggle is, you got something going on in life, talk to somebody. Get some therapy, whatever your deal is, is your deal,' he said. 'Someone out there in this world full of millions of people is willing to listen. Willing to listen hear you out, and work through whatever you need to work through. Don't make any hasty decisions. Get help.' While a source described Wilkins' kiss of a teammate as 'playful' to ESPN, the unnamed teammate evidently didn't see it that way. A complaint was ultimately filed to the team's human resources department. The release of Wilkins also voided the $35.2million left of guaranteed money on his contract. I asked #Raiders DT Adam Butler about the Christian Wilkins situation and things got deep about mental health. "Whatever you're going through as a person – athlete, non-athlete – whatever your struggle is, you got something going on in life, talk to somebody. Get therapy...… — Nick Walters (@nickwalt) July 29, 2025 The Raiders' designation of a 'terminated vested veteran' allowed for the slashing of guaranteed money. However, Wilkins has asked the NFL Players Association to file a grievance to retain the cash on his behalf, which it did last week. The Raiders said it was in 'the best interests of the organization to move on from Christian Wilkins' as they announced his departure. 'This franchise has a commitment to excellence on and off the field,' they continued. 'With no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian, this transaction is necessary for the entire organization to move forward and prepare for the new season.' In five games before getting hurt last season, Wilkins totaled two sacks and two tackles for loss. The former first-round pick spent the first five years of his career with the Dolphins, where he racked up 20.5 sacks and 43 tackles for loss in 81 games.
Reuters
22 minutes ago
- Reuters
Marlins' roster in flux ahead of series finale vs. Cards
July 30 - The Miami Marlins have had to adjust their roster on the fly during their final series ahead of Thursday's trade deadline. More trades could take place before, during or after Miami's finale of a three-game series against the host St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night. The Cardinals recorded a 7-1 victory on Monday before the Marlins bounced back with a 5-0 win Tuesday. The Marlins dealt catcher Nick Fortes to the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday for Double-A outfielder Matthew Etzel. That will create more time behind the plate for Agustin Ramirez and Liam Hicks. Hicks served as the catcher for Tuesday's game, with Ramirez slotting in as the designated hitter. "We believe in Gus (Ramirez) as a catcher, committed to that, continuing to grow and improve," Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said. "We see Gus as someone that's going to be a big part in that position there for us, and so between him and Liam, whether that's four and three, whether that's five and two, sometimes three and four, I think some of it will just be opposing pitcher, maybe the best constructed lineup. "Those guys will take down the catching duties, with Gus getting the majority most of the time." Miami's Troy Johnston made his major league debut Tuesday. He started at first base and lined a single in his first at-bat. McCullough indicated that Hicks, Johnston and Eric Wagaman will share time at first base going forward. Outfielder Kyle Stowers returned Tuesday after missing a game with an illness. He went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run. The Marlins will turn to right-hander Cal Quantrill (3-8, 5.05 ERA) in the series finale on Wednesday. He has allowed just one run on five hits in 11 innings over his last two starts, as Miami beat Milwaukee and Kansas City. He struck out seven in those games and walked none. Quantrill is 2-0 with an 0.56 ERA in five career games (two starts) against the Cardinals. The Cardinals will hand the ball to right-hander Miles Mikolas (6-7, 4.94 ERA), who earned a 3-0 victory Friday over the San Diego Padres in his last start. He scattered seven hits over five scoreless innings. This was a nice turnaround for Mikolas, who had allowed five or more runs in three of his previous four starts. "I really liked my fastball," Mikolas said. "I was kind out there just kind of just letting it rip. It was nice and hot out. Being from Florida, it felt kind of good. A little heat and humidity and using that." Mikolas is 4-1 with a 3.33 ERA in 10 career appearances (eight starts) against the Marlins. The Cardinals suffered another injury on the pitching front. Left-handed reliever John King left Tuesday's game with left-side discomfort in the ninth inning. "Don't have a ton of info on it yet," Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said after the game. "We're hoping it was more cramp than oblique. He's getting tested at the moment." The Cardinals reportedly are listening to trade offers on relievers Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton and Steven Matz, so an injury to King would be problematic. Matz pitched one inning Tuesday, then the Cardinals had to scramble to get a replacement in the game. Marmol said that was a communication issue, not an injury. --Field Level Media
