Australian Open 2026: Venus Williams returns to the 'Happy Slam' after five years

Venus Williams has always written history on the tennis court, and she will do so again at the 2026 Australian Open.

The most decorated Olympic tennis player of all time received a wildcard for the first Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne. At 45-years-old, she will become the oldest woman to ever compete in the Australian Open main draw.

It is just the latest chapter of Williams’ illustrious career at the start of season number 30 on the WTA Tour. Having missed seven consecutive Grand Slam tournaments in the past two years, Venus will now play back-to-back majors on the hard courts.

Speaking after her most recent Slam, the US Open, she said on the Jennifer Hudson Show, “Going into it, my body had let me down so many times, so in a lot of ways, I was also recovering from trauma.

“When I got out there, I didn’t really believe in my body, so then it makes you believe less in yourself. I had a lot of learning: it was thrilling, exhilarating, frightening, but I loved every minute of it. I learned so much, it was just one of the best times in my life.”

After competing in the women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles at the US Open, it is sure to be a joyous return to Melbourne Park for the two-time singles finalist.

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The 2025 campaign was as significant on the court as it was off it for Williams. She returned to the WTA Tour after a year of inactivity with a wildcard win in Washington D.C., before competing at a record 25th US Open on another wildcard.

A five Olympic medallist, Williams also added another piece of metal at the end of the year: a wedding ring. The California native married her partner, Andrea Petri, across two ceremonies in their respective home countries of the USA and Italy.

In a year with so many positives, the former world No. 1 tackled hardships and opened up about a decades-long battle with fibroids. She also discovered a new diagnosis of an adenomyoma, where the lining of her uterus grows into the uterine wall.

“As a patient, you have to be your own advocate,” Williams told SELF. “If you don't know what's wrong with you in the first place, you never even know to bring it up.”

Venus continues to inspire and share her story away from tennis, most recently by starting a podcast with her sister Serena, inspired by their hometown in California.

Now it is time for the USA legend to look ahead to the new season, another chance to test herself and rise back up the rankings. Last time she was at the Australian Open as a top 100 player; now she is outside the top 500 and aiming to push upwards.

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At 45, Williams’ motivation to compete remains strong as she prepares for her first Australian Open appearance since 2021, where she exited in the second round.

Appearances at the ASB Classic and Hobart International WTA 250 tournaments served as vital preparations for the seven-time major champion. The latter was her first appearance at the Tasmanian tournament, the “best place on earth” in Venus’ words.

Both wildcards ended in first-round exits, yet it was the first time in 21 months that Williams has played back-to-back scheduled WTA tournaments. Getting the time on court was the priority for the world No. 576 ahead of a return to Melbourne.

Though she has never lifted the singles trophy at the Australian Open, four doubles triumphs and a 1998 mixed doubles title from Melbourne are already in Williams' trophy cabinet.

Add to those two singles runner-up trophies in 2003 and 2017 – both defeats to Serena – it makes Venus one of the most distinguished players in the draw. An underdog on paper, the 45-year-old will surely feel at home as a fan favourite.

The Australian Open main draw takes place on Thursday (14 January), while the first round gets underway in Melbourne four days later on Sunday (18 January).

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