Venus Williams will return to the Australian Open with a wild card entry, making her first appearance at Melbourne Park in five years, tournament organizers announced on Friday.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion last competed in the tournament in 2021, losing in the second round to Italy’s Sara Errani.
Despite 21 previous campaigns, the American has never lifted the trophy, finishing runner-up twice, losing to her sister Serena in the finals in 2003 and 2017.
Williams, 45, said: “I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing in the summer.”
“I had so many great memories there and am grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.”
Williams will become the oldest woman to play in the Australian Open main draw, surpassing Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she was eliminated in the first round in 2015.
She has also accepted a wildcard for the Hobart International, a prelude to the tournament starting on January 12th, where she will line up alongside fellow major winners Barbora Krejcikova and Emma Raducanu.
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