NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Venus Williams is not yet ready to end her historic tennis career.
The seven-time Grand Slam singles winner earned a wild card for this year’s Australian Open. The first major tournament of the season begins on January 18.
In a social media post on Friday, tournament organizers confirmed that Williams, 45, would return to Melbourne Park after a five-year absence. Williams debuted at the Australian Open 28 years ago.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Venus Williams celebrates after winning a match point in her women’s singles first round match against Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium during day one of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 8, 2021, in Melbourne, Australia. (Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Venus outlasted her younger sister and tennis partner Serena Williams at the 1998 Australian Open, but was ultimately defeated in the quarterfinals by Lindsay Davenport.
Williams also received a wild card to a WTA tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, in November.
VENUS WILLIAMS EARNS US WILD CARD OPEN INVITATION AS OLDEST SINGLE ENTRANT IN OVER 40 YEARS
Williams, 45, last competed in Melbourne in 2021. She finished runner-up in women’s singles twice, losing to Serena Williams in the 2003 and 2017 finals.
Venus Williams enters the court before her match against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic during their women’s singles First Round match at the 2025 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 25, 2025, in New York City, New York. (Elsa/Getty Images)
“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.”
Venus Williams’ record at Melbourne Park is 54 wins and 21 losses. This year will be the 22nd time he will appear in the main draw.
Venus Williams in a practice session during day five of the Rothesay Classic Birmingham at Edgbaston Priory Club on June 21, 2023, in Birmingham, England. (Stephen Pond/Getty Images for LTA)
Australian Open officials said Williams would become the oldest woman to compete in the tournament’s main draw, surpassing the record previously held by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she lost in the first round at Melbourne Park in 2015.
