The first wildcard for the China Open 2019 has been awarded to former World No.1 Venus Williams.

BEIJING, China - Former World No.1 Venus Williams has taken a wildcard into the China Open 2019, the final Premier Mandatory event of the season, which begins on September 28.

It will be Williams's seventh appearance in Beijing, and first since 2016, when she lost in the first round to Peng Shuai. The American's career-best showings in the Chinese capital both ended in walkovers due to injury - a quarterfinal in 2005, in the tournament's days as a Tier II event, and a third-round run in 2014, to Marta Domachowska and Petra Kvitova respectively.

I’m excited to share that I will be competing in the China Open! I have missed China and all the kids who show so much passion for our sport. Looking forward to the food, city, and seeing you all at Diamond Court! pic.twitter.com/0I31T1BkGt — Venus Williams (@Venuseswilliams) September 6, 2019

"I'm excited to share that I will be competing in the China Open!" tweeted Williams. "I have missed China and all the kids who show so much passion for our sport. Looking forward to the food, city, and seeing you all at Diamond Court!"

The World No.52, who is coming off a second-round US Open loss to eventual semifinalist Elina Svitolina, joins a stacked field which also includes Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka, Roland Garros champion Ashleigh Barty, Wimbledon champion Simona Halep, defending champion Caroline Wozniacki and former World No.1s Serena Williams, Angelique Kerber, Karolina Pliskova, Victoria Azarenka and Garbiñe Muguruza.