Venus Williams receives wild card at 45

Venus Williams was handed out a joker for 2026 Australian Openwhich will see her become the oldest woman to compete in the Grand Slam main draw.

The 45-year-old has not played in 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 her 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 women’s singles at age 44 in 2015, losing in the first round.

“I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing in the Australian summer,” Williams said.

“I had so many incredible memories there and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that meant so much to my career.”

Williams received a wild card for the US Open last year, with his first appearance at Flushing Meadows in a major tournament since 2023.

This saw her become the oldest woman to compete in the singles main draw in New York since Renee Richards in 1981.

She put in an admirable performance in the first round against 11th seed Karolina Muchova, but was beaten in three sets.