Venus Williams is set to make her first appearance at the Australian Open in five years after receiving the final wildcard for the event.
At 45, the American legend will become the oldest women’s player in the Open Era to play at Melbourne Park, where she has made the final twice.
Williams has not competed outside the US since 2023, having featured sporadically at tour-level competitions over the last few years.
How far will Venus Williams go at the Australian Open?
In 2025, the seven-time major champion made her return to action during the North American hard-court swing and picked up her first singles win in 16 months over Peyton Stearns.
Now, Williams will head to Australia to take part in the first Grand Slam of the year, which her compatriot, Coco Gauff, commented on.
Coco Gauff discusses Venus Williams’ Australian Open wildcard
Ahead of her campaign at this year’s United Cup, Gauff said of Williams’ return: “Yeah, she’s a legend of the sport, so it will be cool to see her back in action.
“It’s incredible for the longevity of her career that she has. Yeah, she’s a legend, one of the people I looked up to, so looking forward to seeing her back on court.”
Gauff has played Williams twice before on the WTA Tour, and the two meetings came in the first round of Grand Slams.
They clashed at Wimbledon in 2019 and the Australian Open in 2020, with Gauff emerging victorious in both bouts.
“It will be funny if I drew her the first round [of the 2026 Australian Open] again,” said Gauff. “Because that would be, like, three times. Yeah, I mean, we’ll save that if it happens.”
Venus Williams’ best results at the Australian Open over the years
The Australian Open title is one of two Grand Slam trophies that Williams has never managed to get her hands on, along with the French Open.
She first appeared at the tournament in 1998, and five years later she reached the final in Melbourne for the first time.
Who is the most influential tennis player ever?
Williams fell in the 2003 title bout to her sister, Serena Williams, who achieved the Career Grand Slam with her triumph that year.
Venus did not make the final again until 2017, when she lost to Serena once more, losing this time in straight sets.
Her last campaign at the Australian Open came in 2021, but it ended in the second round.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
