Venus Williams Receives Australian Open Wildcard at 45

Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams has been awarded a wildcard to compete in the main draw of the 2026 Australian Open, making her the oldest woman ever to participate in the season-opening Grand Slam. The announcement was confirmed on Friday.

Williams, 45, will return to Melbourne Park for the first time since 2021. She expressed her excitement about the opportunity to compete once again at a tournament that has played a pivotal role in her illustrious career.

“I’m thrilled to be back in Australia and can’t wait to compete during the Australian summer,” Williams said. “I’ve made so many incredible memories there, and it’s an honor to return to a place that has meant so much to me throughout my career.”

A former Australian Open singles finalist in 2003 and 2017, Williams is also a five-time Wimbledon champion and two-time US Open singles winner. She will surpass Japan’s Kimiko Date, who played at 44 in 2015, to become the oldest woman to compete at the Australian Open.

Williams, a four-time Australian Open doubles champion, will kickstart her tournament preparations at the Auckland Classic next week, marking a return to the tour after a 16-month hiatus following last year’s US Open.