A week after her Palm Beach wedding ceremony, Venus Williams has received the Australian Open wild card.
The 45-year-old will return to Melbourne for the first time since 2021, entering the first Major of the season for the 22nd time.
Venus is 54-21 Down Under, reaching two finals in 2003 and 2017 and losing both to her sister Serena. The American stopped the clock nine years ago and fought for the title after a brilliant run.
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However, Serena bested her 6-4, 6-4 for her 23rd and last Major title. The older sister did not play well in Melbourne in the upcoming years, and she took a break after an early exit five years ago.
Half a decade later, the seven-time Major winner will compete in the main draw at Melbourne Park again, with the organizers handing her the invitation that could have gone to some localyoung player.
Venus left the top-100 in 2021. She reduced her schedule and struggled to achieve notable results and win consecutive matches. The veteran played in Indian Wells and Miami in 2024 before taking a break from tennis.
She returned last summer in Washington and claimed her first singles victory in two years. Williams fell in the first round in Cincinnati and the US Open before wrapping up her season.
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Venus is now ready for more action on the court. At 45, she will kick off the 2026 campaign at the Hobart International before heading to Melbourne. In her most recent match, Williams fell to Karolina Muchova in three sets at her home Major in New York last September.
The two-time finalist will try to use her experience and chase a win on the big scene, especially if she draws a suitable opponent. After all, you never know with Venus!
