The former No. 1 player in the world and five-time Grand Slam singles champion is scheduled to return to competitive play in two weeks in Antwerp having missed the Australian Open with a left wrist injury. 

“Venus is ready to return to competition and we are excited that she is eager to come back to the U.S. Fed Cup team,” said Garrison, who has until 10 days prior to the start of the quarterfinal to name the other three members of her team.  “She will provide the type of veteran leadership that can help us to achieve our ultimate goal of bringing the Fed Cup back to the United States.”

Williams is 13-3 overall in Fed Cup play (10-2 singles; 3-1 in doubles). She made her Fed Cup debut in the 1999 semifinal and helped the United States win the title that year, defeating Russia in the final.   Her last appearance in Fed Cup came in the 2005 semifinal at Russia the week after she won Wimbledon, her last major singles title. The United States Fed Cup team is 5-1 when Williams plays.

Tickets for the two-day, best-of-five match series will go on sale to the general public on Monday, February 12 and can be purchased by calling (888) 334-USTA (8782).  Tickets will be sold as a two-day series with prices ranging from $35 to $225, with VIP packages available.  The event is being organized, staged and promoted by the USTA. 

Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the world’s largest annual international team competition for women with 89 countries competing this year.  The ITF has final approval rights for all site selections.  The U.S. is one of eight nations competing for the 2007 Fed Cup title as part of the Fed Cup World Group. 

The Tennis Channel will cover the U.S. vs. Belgium Fed Cup Quarterfinal live.