25 years on… Venus Williams awarded Australian Open wild card

The former world No 1 returns to action at the Australian Open

Aug 8, 2022; Toronto, ON, Canada; Venus Williams (USA) returns a ball to Jil Teichmann (SUI) (not pictured) at Sobeys Stadium. (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)

Carrie Dunn

December 19, 2022

Venus Williams has been awarded a wild card into the 2023 Australian Open – 25 years after her debut there.

This will be the 42-year-old’s 22nd appearance in the main draw, with her last of two singles finals coming in 2017, when she competed against sister Serena for the title.

“I am very excited to be returning to Melbourne to compete at the Australian Open in January,” Williams said in a statement.

“I’ve been competing in the country for over 20 years now and the Australian community has always supported me wholeheartedly. It will be an honour to play for the fans again and I’m looking forward to making more memories at the tournament this year.”

Venus and Serena are four-time women’s doubles champions in Melbourne. With Justin Gimelstob, Venus has also won the mixed doubles, back in 1998.

Williams has not played on tour since the US Open in August.