Australian Open: Tennis great Venus Williams given wildcard at age 45

Venus Williams will set a new record while attempting to wind the clock back at the Australian Open, having been given a wildcard for the tournament she first contested in 1998.

Williams returns to Melbourne Park some 28 years after her first appearance in the main draw.

The 45-year-old will become the oldest woman to compete in the main draw of the year-opening grand slam when she surpasses Kimiko Date, who was 44 at the 2015 Australian Open.

Williams hasn’t played in Melbourne since 2021 nor anywhere outside North America since 2023, with health issues derailing her career.

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

Williams gave 11th seed Karolina Muchova a scare in the first round of last year’s US Open, eventually losing 6-3 2-6 6-1.

The seven-time major winner, who was given the eighth and final women’s wildcard as Nick Kyrgios waits to learn whether he will be given a call-up, can’t wait to see what is possible.

“I’m excited to be back in Australia,” Williams said, revealing she will also play the Hobart International.

“I’ve had so many incredible memories there, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.”

Women’s world No.3 Coco Gauff, who beat Williams twice as a teenager in first-round match-ups at Wimbledon in 2019 and the Australian Open in 2020, hailed her as one of the greats.

“She’s a legend of the sport, so it’ll be cool to see her back in action. It is incredible, the longevity of her career that she has,” Gauff said in Perth.

“She’s a legend, one of my people I looked up to, so I’m looking forward to seeing her back on court.

“You’re never going to underestimate her. It’ll be funny if I drew her first round again, because it would be three times, but we’ll see if it happens.”

Williams defeated younger sister Serena in 1998, marking her Australian Open debut with the first of 31 sibling showdowns on the circuit.

The sisters faced off in the 2003 and 2017 Open finals, with Serena prevailing on both occasions.

“Venus is a true legend and trailblazer of our sport - she’s an inspiration to us all,” Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said.

The final few men’s wildcards are yet to be awarded, with Kyrgios the most notable name on the list of candidates.

Kyrgios has been given a wildcard for the Brisbane International, which begins on January 4.

Former grand slam finalist Mark Philippoussis told AAP last month it would be a tough call for Open organisers to make.

“It’s tough. I see both sides. I see the upside but also the downside as well,” Philippoussis said.

“You get a wildcard at a tournament and you don’t produce because physically you break down, it doesn’t look good.

“It’s not good for the tournament, it’s certainly not good for the player, so everything is a balancing act.”