Venus Williams Set for Historic Australian Open Return at 45.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams is set to make a remarkable comeback at the Australian Open later this month after being awarded a wildcard, five years after her last appearance at the tournament.
At 45, Williams will become the oldest woman to compete in the Australian Open main draw, breaking the record previously held by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who played at 44 in 2015. This will also mark her first tournament outside the United States since 2023.
Williams received the eighth and final women’s wildcard on Friday, confirming her first appearance at Melbourne Park since 2021. Ahead of the Grand Slam, she will compete at the Hobart International alongside fellow champions Barbora Krejcikova and Emma Raducanu, which will serve as her final warm-up before the Australian Open.
Williams made her Australian Open debut 28 years ago in 1998, defeating her younger sister Serena in the second round before falling to Lindsay Davenport in the quarterfinals. She has since been a singles finalist in 2003 and 2017, and is a five-time Wimbledon champion and two-time US Open winner.
“I am excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the Australian summer. I have had so many incredible memories there and am grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career,” Williams said.
The American star has battled health issues in recent years, including surgery for uterine fibroids in August 2024, which she says affected her tennis and career trajectory.
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