US tennis legend Venus Williams will return to the Australian Open for the first time since 2021.
Published January 2, 2026
Seven-time major singles champion Venus Williams has been given a wild card to the Australian Open at the age of 45, making her the oldest woman to play in a season-opening tennis Grand Slam.
The American, who has only played a limited number of singles matches in recent years, will compete in the main draw at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2021.
Recommended stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
“I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing in the Australian summer,” Williams said on Friday.
“I have so many great memories there and am grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.”
Williams has won Wimbledon five times and the US Open twice.
She was an Australian Open singles finalist in 2003 and 2017.
She will be the oldest woman to play at the Australian Open since Japan’s Kimiko Date, 44, who lost in the first round in 2015.
Williams, a four-time Australian Open doubles champion, returned to the circuit at last year’s US Open after a 16-month break and will begin preparations next week for the Auckland Classic, which runs from January 18 to February 1.
After that, I headed to Hobart International just before Melbourne.
Two-time Grand Slam champion and fellow American Coco Gauff said it was “incredible” to see Williams still participating in the tournament.
“She’s a legend in the sport, so it’s great to see her back in action,” she said.
“The length of her career is incredible. She’s someone I looked up to so I’m looking forward to seeing her back on the court.”
