At 45, seven-time Grand Slam singles winner Venus Williams snagged a wildcard into the Australian Open Friday—the oldest woman ever to enter the season’s first major.
The American returns to Melbourne Park’s main draw for the first time since 2021.
“I’m thrilled to return to Australia and compete in the summer swing,” Williams said. “The memories are incredible, and I’m thankful for the chance to revisit a career cornerstone.”
A 2003 and 2017 AO singles finalist, she’s claimed five Wimbledons and two US Opens, plus four AO doubles titles.
Williams edges Japan’s Kimiko Date (44) as the oldest AO player, who fell in 2015’s first round. She’ll warm up at next week’s Auckland Classic ahead of January 18-February 1, following her US Open comeback after 16 months off.
