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Venus Williams, 45, Accepts Australian Open Wildcard, Set to Become Event’s Oldest Female Competitor

Organizers set her warm‑up in Auckland followed by Hobart ahead of her first Melbourne appearance since 2021.

A los 45 años, Venus Williams volverá al Abierto de Australia gracias a una invitación
FILE - Venus Williams, of the United States, returns a shot with partner Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, during a quarterfinal doubles match at the U.S. Open tennis championships, Sept. 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa, File)
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Overview

  • The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion accepted the eighth and final main‑draw invitation for the 2026 Australian Open.
  • Her entry surpasses Kimiko Date’s 44-year mark, making her the oldest woman to compete in the tournament’s main draw.
  • Williams will play Auckland from Jan. 5–11, then the Hobart International the following week as preparation for Melbourne.
  • Tournament director Craig Tiley praised her as a legend and said he looks forward to seeing her compete in Hobart and at the Open.
  • She holds a 54–21 record at Melbourne Park with two singles finals, and this will be her 22nd main‑draw appearance.