Venus qualifies for WTA Finals for first time since '09

It's been an incredible year for Venus Williams, and she'll get to cap it off on the biggest year-end stage on the WTA tour. The 37-year-old has officially qualified for the WTA Finals in Singapore.

Even though she's not in Wuhan this week, Williams has reached two Grand Slam finals this year (at the Australian Open and Wimbledon) as well as the semifinals of the US Open.

She started the year at No. 17 and has climbed all the way back to No. 5 in the world. The last time Williams was in the Top 5 was back in January of 2011.

Williams wasn't the only player to qualify this week as Simona Halep, Karolina Pliskova and Elina Svitolina all join a field that had previously just included Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza.

Wednesday was also a big day in Williams tennis history. On September 27, 17 years ago, Williams won the gold medal in London.

Last year, Williams just missed out on a spot in Singapore, but won the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai over Pliskova. Williams has won the WTA Finals title just once, back in 2008.