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1h ago

Venus Williams Granted Australian Open Wild Card for First Melbourne Return Since 2021

All eight wild cards are now allocated, leaving Victoria Azarenka without a main-draw path.

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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Overview

  • Australian Open organizers confirmed the 45-year-old seven-time major champion has a singles wild card for the tournament starting January 18.
  • Williams, currently ranked No. 148, is expected to tune up at the Hobart International and also has a separate wild card into Auckland.
  • Her comeback gathered momentum in 2025 with a first-round win over Peyton Stearns in Washington, followed by a three-set loss to Karolina Muchova at the US Open and a doubles quarterfinal with Leylah Fernandez.
  • This will be Williams’ first appearance at Melbourne Park since 2021; she previously reached the Australian Open singles finals in 2003 and 2017, losing both to Serena Williams.
  • Event communications and subsequent reporting indicate the women’s wild-card allocation is complete, which removes a potential entry route for two-time champion Azarenka.