At 45, Venus Williams makes Australian Open history with wildcard return | Tennis News
Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams will make a remarkable return to Melbourne Park after being handed a wildcard for the Australian Open, becoming the oldest woman ever to compete in the season-opening major.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Tournament organisers confirmed on Friday that the 45-year-old American will feature in the main draw for the first time since 2021, marking her 22nd Australian Open appearance and her first at the venue in five years.“I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the Australian summer,” Williams said. “I’ve had so many incredible memories there, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.”
Williams first played at the Australian Open in 1998, famously defeating younger sister Serena in the second round before losing to Lindsay Davenport in the quarterfinals. She has since compiled a 54–21 win-loss record at Melbourne Park and finished runner-up twice, losing to Serena in the finals in 2003 and 2017.The five-time Wimbledon champion and two-time US Open winner will surpass the previous age record held by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who competed at the Australian Open aged 44 in 2015.Williams is set to begin her Australian summer swing at the Auckland Classic next week, where she has also received a wildcard, before playing in Hobart ahead of the January 18–February 1 Grand Slam. She returned to competitive tennis at last year’s US Open following a 16-month absence from the tour.A four-time Australian Open doubles champion, Williams continues to defy time and expectations. In a personal milestone, she married Danish-born model and actor Andrea Preti in late December in Florida.
