 Williams is the defending Wimbledon champion |
Venus Williams will play in the Hopman Cup indoor team event for the first time in Australia in December. Williams will represent the USA with Taylor Dent, who partnered Lisa Raymond to win the last Hopman Cup.
Tournament boss Paul McNamee deviated from the normal policy of inviting back the defending champions.
"We love to showcase new faces and exciting talent. Venus is one of the game's stars that hasn't been here yet," McNamee said.
"She is back on the WTA Tour and in good form so I thought I would see if she would like to partner Taylor.
"Venus becomes the 19th number one to have played in 19 Hopman Cups, which exemplifies the quality of this event."
Five-time Grand Slam champion Williams follows in the footsteps of younger sister Serena who won the Hopman Cup partnering James Blake in 2002-2003.
Venus Williams will defend her third Wimbledon title in July after reaching the quarter-finals of the French Open in Paris.
The Hopman Cup features mixed teams from eight nations and takes place from 29 December-5 January in Perth.
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