Venus Williams has been awarded a women’s singles wildcard for the 2026 Australian Open, confirming the 45-year-old’s place in the main draw of the season-opening Grand Slam.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion will become the oldest female player to compete in the Australian Open main draw when the tournament begins on January 18 in Melbourne, surpassing the previous record held by Japan’s Kimiko Date.
Williams, a former world number one and two-time finalist at the event, welcomed the invitation to return to Melbourne Park, where she last competed in 2021.
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“I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career,” Williams said.
The American reached the Australian Open final in 2003 and 2017, losing on both occasions to her sister Serena Williams. She has not played outside the United States since 2023 but made a Grand Slam appearance at the US Open last year.
At Flushing Meadows, Williams became the third-oldest woman to compete at the tournament in the Open era, although her campaign ended in a first-round loss to Czech player Karolina Muchova.
As part of her preparations, Williams has also accepted a wildcard for the Hobart International, which starts on January 12, ahead of the Australian Open.