Venus Williams will return to the Australian Open in January, completing one of the most spectacular comebacks in modern tennis history. The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion has been given a wild card into the 2026 tournament, which starts on January 18 in Melbourne, marking her first appearance at the tournament in five years. days after marrying Danish-born model and actor Andrea Preti.
At 45, Williams will also become the oldest woman to start in the Australian Open main draw, surpassing the previous record held by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she played at Melbourne Park in 2015. The wild card marks a return nearly three decades after Williams first appeared in the tournament.
“I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to racing during the Australian summer,” Williams said. “I have 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.”
Tournament organizers have confirmed that Williams’ return will come 28 years after her Australian Open debut in 1998. That year, she beat her younger sister Serena in the second round before losing to American Lindsay Davenport in the quarter-finals. Since then, Melbourne Park has remained a significant, if unfinished, chapter in her career.
Williams reached the Australian Open singles final twice, in 2003 and again in 2017, finishing runner-up to Serena. Her overall tournament record stands at 54 wins and 21 losses, and the upcoming year will mark her 22nd appearance in the main draw. She last competed in Melbourne in 2021 before leaving the regular tour.
The American hinted at her return back in November when she announced plans to play in Auckland, New Zealand, two weeks before the Australian Open, where she also received a wild card. She is also entered for a tournament in Hobart next week as part of her preparations for Melbourne.
As she prepares for another Australian summer, the spotlight will once again be on her ability to defy time and expectations on one of tennis’ biggest stages.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
January 2, 2026
