Sports
Venus Williams receives wild card at 45
The seven-time grand slam winner has not played in Melbourne since 2021.
Venus Williams has been handed a wild card for the 2026 Australian Open, which will see her become the oldest woman to compete in the grand slam’s main draw.
The 45-year-old has not played at the first major of the year since 2021, when she reached the second round before losing to Sara Errani.
Williams is a two-time finalist at Melbourne Park, where she lost to sister Serena in the showpiece in 2003 and 2017.
Venus Williams grateful for Australian Open opportunity
Her return to the main draw will see her break the record set by Kimiko Date, who competed in the women’s singles at 44 in 2015, losing in the first round.
“I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the Australian summer,” Williams said.
“I’ve had so many incredible memories there, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.”
Williams received a wild card into the US Open last year, with her appearance at Flushing Meadows her first at a major since 2023.
That saw her become the oldest woman to compete in the main draw of the singles in New York since Renee Richards in 1981.
She produced an admirable performance in the first round against 11th seed Karolina Muchova, but was beaten in three sets.
