Seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams is all set to become the oldest female player to compete in the Australian Open, after receiving a wildcard for the 2026 edition that starts on January 18. Williams will compete at the first slam of the year at the age of 45, beating Japan’s Kimiko Date’s record, who was 44 years old when she played in 2015.
Additionally, Williams also accepted a wildcard to play in the Hobart International, a warm-up event which starts six days before the Australian Open on January 12.
“I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the Australian summer.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career. 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,” Williams said.
She’s BACK 🙌
7x Grand Slam champion, @Venuseswilliams ✨ pic.twitter.com/KuByXJro2p
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 1, 2026
The 45-year-old last played at the Australian Open in 2021, where she lost to Sara Errani in the second round. She has been a two-time runner-up at the tournament, having lost to her sister Serena on both occasions in 2003 and 2017. She has, however, won four women’s doubles titles and won a mixed doubles title at Melbourne Park.
In August 2024, Williams underwent uterine fibroid surgery after battling years of health issues before returning to the court in Washington, D.C. in 2025, where she became the oldest female tennis player to win a tour-level match since Martina Navratilova won at Wimbledon in 2004. Williams became the third-oldest player to compete in the US Open last year when she played the first round match against 11th seed Karolina Muchova last year, a match she lost 3-6, 6-2, 1-6.
“I wasn’t well. I was in so much pain. Today it’s night and day, how much better I felt. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to play feeling better,” Williams said at the end of the match.
