Venus Williams to play at Eastbourne event

Williams has won seven Grand Slam singles and 12 doubles titles

Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams is to play at this year's Aegon International tournament at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, in June.

The 30-year-old, who last took part in the pre-All England Club event in 1998, is among 13 of the world's top 20 players to have entered.

"It's fantastic that Venus has entered this year," said tournament director Gavin Fletcher.

"It promises to be another thrilling week of high class women's tennis."

Williams, who has not played since retiring from her third-round match at the Australian Open in January, is joined in the main draw by world number three Vera Zvonereva.

French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, former Roland Garros winner Ana Ivanovic, Australian Open finalist Li Na and world number eight Samantha Stosur will also play at Eastbourne.

"We promised to deliver world class tennis to Eastbourne, so to attract five of the world's top 10 is a real coup for the tournament," added Fletcher.

The men's event in Eastbourne will feature Spaniards Nicolas Almagro and Feliciano Lopez, the world numbers nine and 39 respectively, and Frenchman Gilles Simon, ranked 20th.