Venus Williams, 45, Receives Wild Card for First Melbourne Major in Half a Decade.
Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams has secured a special invitation for the Australian Open, commencing on January 18 in Melbourne.
Historic Comeback to the Australian Courts
The event organizers announced on the weekend that the forty-five-year-old icon will grace the courts again at the tournament venue a staggering 28 years after her first appearance. During 1998, she overcame her younger sister Serena in the second round before exiting in the quarter-finals to fellow American Lindsay Davenport.
Preparing for the Australian Summer
Venus had previously revealed in the month of November her plans to play in New Zealand's Auckland Classic, where she also received a special entry, a fortnight prior to the Melbourne event. Organizers added that Williams is scheduled to participate in Australia's Hobart International a week later, just before the action begins at Melbourne Park.
Her most recent visit in Melbourne was in 2021, and she has finished runner-up in the women’s singles on two occasions, falling short against Serena in the finals of 2003 and 2017.
"I’m excited to return in Australia and looking forward to competing during the summer season," Venus said. "I’ve had so many incredible memories there, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to go back to a place that has been so significant to my professional journey."
By the Numbers
Williams' overall record at Melbourne Park stands at an impressive 54 victories and 21 defeats. This year will mark the 22nd time she has competed in the primary tournament field.
Establishing a Fresh Benchmark
Officials pointed out that Williams is poised to be the oldest woman to take part in an Open's singles competition, eclipsing the mark formerly set by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was forty-four when she lost in the first round at the venue in 2015.
Latest Life Event
In late December, Williams wed Denmark-born model and actor Andrea Preti in Florida's Palm Beach.
