American Venus Williams, a seven-time singles tennis champion, received an invitation to the Australian Open on Friday at the age of 45, becoming the oldest woman to participate in the season-opening Grand Slam tournament. The player will appear in the main draw in Melbourne for the first time since 2021.
“I am delighted to be back in Australia and look forward to playing the tournament during the Australian summer,” said Venus Williams. I have so many incredible memories there and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that meant so much to my career. »
Five times the Wimbledon tournament
A singles finalist at the Australian Open in 2003 and 2017, the eldest of the Williams sisters has won the Wimbledon tournament five times and the US Open twice. She will become the oldest woman to compete in the Australian Open since Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she lost in the first round in 2015.
The tournament will begin on January 18 and last until February 1. As preparation, the four-time Australian Open doubles champion will play the Auckland tournament in New Zealand, organized from January 5 to 11. Absent from the circuit for almost a year and a half, she made her return to the courts in July at the Washington tournament.
