Venus Williams is set to make history at the 2026 Australian Open after receiving a wildcard entry that will see her become the oldest female player to compete in the tournament’s main draw at the age of 45.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion was handed the final women’s wildcard for the season-opening major, which gets underway on 18 January in Melbourne. Williams last featured at Melbourne Park in 2021, exiting in the second round after a loss to Italy’s Sara Errani. Reacting to the invitation, the American said she was “grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.”

A two-time finalist at the Australian Open, Williams will break a long-standing record previously held by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who competed at the event at the age of 44 in 2015. As part of her build-up, Williams has also accepted a wildcard to the Hobart International, which begins on 12 January, where she is expected to compete alongside Britain’s Emma Raducanu.

The former world number one has not played competitively outside the United States since 2023 but made a high-profile return at last year’s US Open, becoming the third-oldest woman to compete in the tournament in the Open era. Although she was eliminated in the first round by Karolina Muchova, Williams’ return to Melbourne underscores her enduring presence in the sport and adds another remarkable chapter to her storied career. (Arise News)