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Venus Williams returning to Australian Open for first time since 2021

AP file photo by Heather Khalifa / Venus Williams, a two-time runner-up in women's singles at the Australian Open, is returning to the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne for the first time in five years later this month.
AP file photo by Heather Khalifa / Venus Williams, a two-time runner-up in women's singles at the Australian Open, is returning to the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne for the first time in five years later this month. AP file photo by Heather Khalifa / Venus Williams, a two-time runner-up in women's singles at the Australian Open, is returning to the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne for the first time in five years later this month.

By The Associated Press 2 min read

MELBOURNE, Australia — Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams has received a wild-card entry for the Australian Open.

The year’s first major tennis tournament begins Jan. 18 in Melbourne.

Tournament representatives said Friday that the 45-year-old American would make a return to Melbourne Park 28 years after her first appearance. In 1998, she defeated her younger sister Serena in the second round before losing in the quarterfinals to another player from the U.S., Lindsay Davenport.

Venus had announced in November that she would play in Auckland, New Zealand, where she also received a wild card, two weeks before the Australian Open. Representatives for the Australian Open said Williams was also entered to play a tournament in Hobart, Australia, a week later and just before play begins at Melbourne Park.

She most recently competed in Melbourne in 2021 and has finished as the runner-up in women’s singles twice, losing to Serena in the finals in 2003 and 2017.