Venus Williams had an 'emotional' return to Melbourne Park despite loss

Beyonce stopped blaring from the speakers and the big screens at John Cain Arena unveiled seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams waiting in the wings.

As she made her way onto the court, the pulsating crowd leapt unprompted to their feet to give a standing ovation to an undisputed great of the sport.

It ended up being one of multiple standing ovations Williams would receive over the course of her first round match with Olga Danilovic. All despite her eventual loss to the 24-year-old Serbian in a battle that lasted three sets.

Another came as she was introduced, then again when she won the first set in a tie-break, and one more as she exited the arena.

Williams might have been 45, and breaking a new record for the oldest player to compete at the Australian Open, but everyone there knew they were watching greatness.

One fan, Danii Clarkson, 30, had spent the day in the bleachers of John Cain awaiting Williams' return.

"The atmosphere when Venus walked out was incredible and, honestly, emotional," Clarkson told ABC Sport.

"Getting to see her back in Melbourne and still in amazing form was so special. I feel very lucky to be able to witness it."

There had been some debate in the tennis world about whether Williams should have even received a wildcard, or whether it should have gone to an up-and-comer.

She only returned to the WTA Tour in the United States last July, less than a year after she underwent surgery for uterine fibroids.

She had also exited the Hobart International ahead of the Open in a straight sets loss to Tatjana Maria in just 1 hour and 27 minutes.

But it was hard to argue against the decision to let her play at the Australian Open, watching the fans embrace her presence back on the hard court.

That and the enthralling tennis fans got to witness.

Danilovic was up against not only a legend of the sport but a crowd very much not in her favour. But she kept her nerve and won 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-4.

Yet, while she finished with a confident surge, Danilovic was properly tested by Williams in parts.

At one point, Williams had Danilovic properly on the back foot, up 4-0 in the deciding set. At this point a wave of anticipation settled over the crowd. Was Williams actually about to win?

But the 45-year-old was no doubt a shadow of her former self on court and didn't have enough steam or stamina in the end; she hit the ball too hard or too soft and was forced to let some balls fly past her with her speed lacking.

In the second set Williams looked out of fuel as Danilovic hit her stride; and then after a moment of dominance to start the third, she finished breathing a lot heavier than her opponent.

Yet, in her first appearance back at Melbourne Park since 2021, she gave fans exactly what they were after.

This was a tournament in which she debuted at just 17 — when she beat younger sister Serena in the first of 31 professional meetings — and reached the final twice (2003 and 2017).

Williams' prime was a moment in tennis history that she described this week as a "beautiful time", which put it mildly.

For those who have long admired her, they got to see her back on court playing some great tennis and show their appreciation.

And for Danilovic, it would be easy to see her pick up a few new fans tonight.

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