Venus Williams, a seven-time major singles champion, has received a wildcard entry to participate in the Australian Open at the age of 45, making her the oldest woman ever to compete in the prestigious Grand Slam tournament. This opportunity marks her return to the Melbourne Park main draw for the first time since 2021.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the upcoming Australian summer competition, Williams shared, “I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing. The memories I have from there are truly remarkable, and I am thankful for the chance to revisit a place that has played a significant role in my career.”
Having been a finalist in the Australian Open singles in 2003 and 2017, Williams boasts an impressive record of five Wimbledon titles and two US Open victories. She will break the record as the oldest woman to grace the Australian Open courts since Kimiko Date of Japan, who was 44 when she exited in the first round in 2015.
With four Australian Open doubles titles under her belt, Williams is gearing up for the tournament scheduled from January 18 to February 1. Her preparations will kick off at the Auckland Classic next week. The seasoned player made a comeback to the tennis circuit at the US Open last year after taking a 16-month hiatus.