The tournament announced in a post on social media Friday that 45-year-old Williams would return to Melbourne Park 28 years after her first appearance. In 1998, she defeated her younger sister, Serena, in the second round before losing to compatriot Lindsay Davenport in the quarterfinals.
Venus had announced in November that she would play at a WTA tournament two weeks before the Australian Open in Auckland, New Zealand, where she also received a wildcard.
She last appeared in Melbourne in 2021 and twice finished as runner-up in women’s singles, losing to Serena in the final in 2003 and 2017.
“I’m excited to be back in Australia and look forward to competing during the Australian summer,” said Williams. “I had so many incredible memories there and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that meant so much to my career.”
Venus Williams’ record at Melbourne Park is 54 wins and 21 losses. This year will be the 22nd time she participates in the main tournament.
According to the tournament, Williams would become the oldest woman to play in an Australian Open main draw, surpassing the record previously held by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she lost in the first round at Melbourne Park in 2015.
In late December, Venus married Danish-born model and actor Andrea Preti in Palm Beach, Florida.
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