Overview
- Organizers awarded Williams a main-draw wildcard, confirming her participation in the Australian Open starting January 18.
- At 45, she becomes the oldest woman to compete in the tournament, surpassing Kimiko Date’s mark set at 44 in 2015.
- Williams plans a tune-up at the Auckland event in New Zealand from January 5–11 ahead of Melbourne.
- She has reached the Australian Open final twice, in 2003 and 2017, and did not win either match against her sister Serena.
- Expressing her excitement, Williams said she is grateful for the chance to return to a place with many special memories.