Australian Open: Venus Williams handed wildcard at 45

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has been handed a women’s wildcard to compete at the Australian Open, set to begin on January 18.

At 45, Williams will become the oldest female player to feature in the Australian Open main draw, surpassing the previous record held by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who competed at age 44 in 2015.

The former world number one last played at Melbourne Park in 2021, where she reached the second round. She described the wildcard as an opportunity to return to a venue that has played an important role in her career.

Williams’ most recent Grand Slam outing was at the US Open last year, where she was eliminated in the first round. Her best performance at the Australian Open remains reaching the final twice, finishing runner-up in 2003 and again in 2017.

The American has not competed outside the United States since 2023; she is also scheduled to feature at the Hobart International warm-up tournament from January 12, ahead of the season’s first Grand Slam.