Venus Williams Returns to Australian Open with a Wild Card After 28 Years

Staff Report: PNN

Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams has been granted a wild-card entry to participate in the Australian Open. The tournament, held at Melbourne Park, is set to begin on January 18.

Tournament officials announced on Friday that 45-year-old Williams will be returning to Melbourne Park 28 years after her first appearance. In 1998, during her debut at the Australian Open, she defeated her younger sister Serena Williams in the second round before losing in the quarterfinals to fellow American Lindsay Davenport.

Williams had previously announced in November that she would compete in Auckland, New Zealand, two weeks before the Australian Open, also via a wild-card entry. The Australian Open further confirmed that Williams will participate in a tournament in Hobart, Australia, which will take place exactly one week prior to the start of play at Melbourne Park.

Williams last played in Melbourne in 2021. In her women’s singles career at the Australian Open, she has reached the final twice but was defeated by her sister Serena both times—in 2003 and 2017.

“I’m excited to be back in Australia and am eagerly looking forward to competing during the Australian summer,” Williams said. “I have so many incredible memories there, and I am grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.”

Williams’ record at Melbourne Park stands at 54 wins and 21 losses. This year will mark her 22nd appearance in the main draw.

Tournament officials have also confirmed that Williams will become the oldest woman to compete in an Australian Open main draw this year. This record was previously held by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 years old when she lost in the first round at Melbourne Park in 2015.

It is also noteworthy that in late December, Williams married Danish model and actor Andrea Preti at Palm Beach, Florida.