Venus Williams will be joined by nine-times grand slam champion Monica Seles for next month’s U.S. Fed Cup quarter-final against Italy, team captain Billie Jean King said on Friday.
World number 20 Meghann Shaughnessy and Lisa Raymond, the world’s sixth-ranked doubles player, will also line up for the Americans in Washington, D.C. over July 19-20.
World number four Venus committed to the U.S. team some weeks ago. Her younger sister Serena, defending champion at this week’s Wimbledon championships, has decided not to take part.
For Seles, the tie will mark a return to competition for the first time since May 27.
“Monica is one of the game’s greatest players and is very excited to be hitting again and playing Fed Cup in D.C.,” said King.
“We are fortunate to have Monica, Venus, Meghann and Lisa together as a strong team with so much depth and experience to face a tough opponent.”
Italian captain Corrado Barrazzutti has until July 9 to select his team.