Venus Williams, 45, Receives Special Entry for Her Initial Australian Open in Five Years.

A seven-time Grand Slam title holder Venus Williams has been granted a wild-card entry for the Australian Open, commencing on January 18 in Melbourne.

A Landmark Return to Melbourne Park

Tournament officials confirmed on Friday that the forty-five-year-old legend will grace the courts again at Melbourne Park a staggering 28 years after her debut. During 1998, she defeated her younger sister Serena in the early stage before exiting in the quarter-finals to fellow American Lindsay Davenport.

Preparing for the Australian Summer

The tennis star had earlier stated in the month of November her plans to compete in New Zealand's Auckland Classic, where she also received a special entry, a fortnight before the Melbourne event. The Australian Open added that Williams is scheduled to play a tournament in Australia's Hobart International a following week, just before the start of play at the main venue.

Her most recent visit in Melbourne was in 2021, and she has finished runner-up in the singles competition on two occasions, losing to Serena in the championship matches of 2003 and 2017.

"I’m excited to be back in the country and looking forward to competing during the Australian summer," Williams said. "I’ve had so many unforgettable moments there, and I’m thankful for the chance to go back to a place that has been so significant to my professional journey."

Statistical Highlights

Williams' overall record at Melbourne Park stands at an impressive 54 victories and 21 defeats. The upcoming edition will mark the twenty-second occasion she has appeared in the main draw.

Setting a New Record

The tournament pointed out that Williams is poised to be the oldest woman to compete in an Open's singles competition, eclipsing the record previously held by Japanese Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she was defeated in the opening round at Melbourne Park in 2015.

Recent Life Event

In late December, Williams wed Denmark-born model and actor Andrea Preti in Florida's Palm Beach.