Overview
- Australian Open organizers awarded Williams the eighth and final women's main-draw wildcard for the tournament beginning January 18.
- She will become the oldest woman to compete in the event’s main draw at 45, surpassing Kimiko Date’s 2015 mark.
- Her build-up includes a confirmed wildcard for the ASB Classic in Auckland followed by the Hobart International the week before Melbourne.
- This will be her first Australian Open since 2021 and her first competition outside the United States since 2023.
- A seven-time major champion with a 54–21 record at Melbourne Park and runner-up finishes in 2003 and 2017, Williams returned to competition in 2025 after uterine fibroid surgery in 2024.