NEW YORK -- Venus Williams will make her return to Grand Slam tennis at the US Open after a two-year absence, receiving a wild-card invitation Wednesday to compete in singles at Flushing Meadows at age 45.
The American will be the oldest entrant in singles at the tournament since Rene Richards was 47 in 1981, according to the International Tennis Federation.
Williams already had been given a wild-card entry by the U.S. Tennis Association for next week's mixed doubles competition. Singles matches begin in New York on Aug. 24.
She has won major singles championships -- including at the US Open in 2000 and 2001 -- along with another 14 in women's doubles, all won with her younger sister, Serena, plus two in mixed doubles. Serena Williams retired with 23 Slam singles trophies after playing at the 2022 US Open.
