MELBOURNE: Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has been awarded a wild-card entry into the main draw of this month’s Australian Open, tournament organizers announced on Friday in Australia.
The 45-year-old American will return to Melbourne for the first time since 2021, when her campaign ended in the second round with a loss to Italy’s Sara Errani. Williams is a two-time finalist at the Australian Open, finishing runner-up on both occasions to her sister Serena in 2003 and 2017.
Williams has also received a wild card for the Auckland Open, which will serve as a warm-up event ahead of the season’s first Grand Slam.
Despite a limited schedule in 2025, Williams has produced flashes of her enduring class. She played three events during the year and made headlines at the DC Open in July, where she defeated Peyton Stearns in straight sets in her first singles match in 16 months before falling to Poland’s Magdalena Frech in the second round.
At the Cincinnati Open, Williams exited in the opening round, losing to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, and later suffered a first-round defeat to Karolina Muchova at the U.S. Open. She enjoyed a stronger run in doubles in New York, winning three matches alongside Canada’s Leylah Fernandez before bowing out in the quarterfinals.
Her Melbourne return adds another compelling chapter to one of tennis’ most remarkable careers.
