Venus Williams to play in Charleston

Former world No. 1 Venus Williams said she's playing in the Family Circle Cup on Daniel Island in April.

Wiliiams won the clay-court tournament on Daniel Island in 2004. This will be her first appearance at the tournament since she reached the third round in 2009.

Williams returned from a five-month layoff caused by an autoimmune disease last weekend, playing doubles for the United States in Fed Cup competition.

Williams said she was returning to Charleston in part because of the celebration surrounding the 40th anniversary of the event when founding women tennis players who began the WTA took part in the first women's-only tournament.