Venus Williams Returns to Australian Open Main Draw, Eyes Record-Breaking 2026 Campaign
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Tennis legend Venus Williams is set to make a triumphant return to the Australian Open main draw in 2026, five years after her last appearance. The 45-year-old American received the final women's wildcard for the first Grand Slam of the year, paving the way for a historic comeback. Williams will kick-start her preparations at the Hobart International, where she will join fellow champions Barbora Krejcikova and Emma Raducanu. With this return, Williams aims to break the record for the oldest woman to compete in the main draw of the Australian Open, surpassing Japan's Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she lost in the first round in 2015. The five-time Wimbledon champion and two-time US Open winner is all set to bring her star power to the tournament. Williams has a rich history at the Australian Open, having finished as the runner-up twice, both times losing to her sister Serena in the finals in 2003 and 2017. She first appeared at the tournament 28 years ago in 1998, where she defeated her younger sister in the second round before eventually losing to Lindsay Davenport. "I'm excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the Australian summer," Williams said in a statement. "I've had so many incredible memories there, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.
