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26m ago

Venus Williams, 45, Gets Australian Open Wild Card, Will Be Oldest in Main Draw

Her entry signals a measured comeback following health setbacks.

Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 2, 2025 Venus Williams of the U.S. in action during the women's doubles quarter final match with Canada's Leylah Fernandez against Czech Republic's Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend of the U.S. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
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Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 2, 2025 Venus Williams of the U.S. reacts during the women's doubles quarter final match with Canada's Leylah Fernandez against Czech Republic's Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend of the U.S. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
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Overview

  • Australian Open organizers awarded Williams the eighth and final women’s main-draw wildcard for the tournament starting January 18.
  • At 45, she will surpass Kimiko Date’s 2015 benchmark to become the oldest woman to compete in the Australian Open main draw.
  • Williams will tune up at the Hobart International and has also accepted a warm-up wildcard in Auckland, marking her first events outside the U.S. since 2023.
  • She said she is excited to be back in Australia, returning to Melbourne for the first time since 2021 and for what will be her 22nd main-draw appearance.
  • Her 2025 return followed uterine fibroid surgery and a WTA inactive designation, highlighted by a DC win over Peyton Stearns and a US Open doubles quarterfinal with Leylah Fernandez.