Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams will return to the Australian Open after receiving a wild-card entry for the 2026 edition of the tournament, which begins on January 18 at Melbourne Park.
The 45-year-old will make her 22nd main draw appearance, 28 years after her debut at the same venue in 1998. That year, she defeated her younger sister Serena Williams in the second round before losing in the quarterfinals to fellow American Lindsay Davenport.
Williams last played in Melbourne in 2021 and has twice finished runner-up in the women’s singles, losing to Serena in the finals in 2003 and 2017. Her record at Melbourne Park stands at 54 wins and 21 losses.
“I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the Australian summer,” Williams said. “I’ve had so many incredible memories there, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.”
Ahead of the Australian Open, Williams will also compete in Auckland, New Zealand, and in Hobart, Australia, both on wild cards.
The tournament confirmed that Williams will become the oldest woman to compete in an Australian Open main draw, surpassing Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she played in 2015.
