Williams back at Australian Open five years after last appearance

The tournament said Williams is set to become the oldest woman to compete 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.

Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams has received a wild-card entry for the Australian Open, beginning January 18, in Melbourne. Picture: AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams has received a wild-card entry for the Australian Open, beginning January 18, in Melbourne.

The tournament said that the 45-year-old Williams would make a return to Melbourne Park 28 years after her first appearance. In 1998, she defeated her younger sister Serena in the second round before losing in the quarterfinals to fellow American Lindsay Davenport.