At 45 years old, Venus Williams stepped onto the court at the Australian Open and into the history books. With her first-round appearance against Olga Danilovic, she became the oldest woman to compete in the singles draw at the tournament during the Open Era-a milestone that speaks volumes about her longevity, resilience, and enduring love for the game.
Williams, who received a wildcard into the main draw, surpassed the previous age record held by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she last played in Melbourne back in 2015. And while the match didn’t end in victory-Danilovic came back to win in three sets-it was still a moment that felt bigger than the scoreboard.
“It was such a great game and such a great moment,” Williams said afterward. “I'm playing better with each match and getting to the places that I want to get to.”
That’s a telling quote from a player who’s never been content to just show up. Even after decades on tour and seven Grand Slam singles titles to her name, Venus still has goals. Still has fire.
The match itself was a rollercoaster. Williams took the opening set in a tight tiebreak, 7-6 (7-5), showcasing flashes of the power and precision that have defined her career. The crowd at John Cain Arena was right there with her, lifting her with every forehand winner and fist pump.
Danilovic, ranked 69th in the world and born three years after Venus made her Australian Open debut in 1998, responded with a dominant second set, taking it in just 30 minutes. But Venus wasn’t done yet. In the deciding set, she surged ahead 4-0 and looked poised to grab her first Grand Slam singles win since Wimbledon 2021.
Then the momentum flipped.
Danilovic rattled off six straight games to seal the match, a stunning turnaround that left fans and commentators alike shaking their heads. It was a reminder of how cruel and unpredictable tennis can be-especially when match fitness and rhythm are still coming back.
“She played a great game, with some luck there as well,” Williams said of her opponent. “But that’s just the sport and that’s how it works sometimes.
I felt good at 4-0. It is the biggest lead I’ve had since I’ve been back.”
Danilovic, for her part, didn’t take the moment lightly. “I told myself before the match that I really want to take this moment,” she said.
“These things don’t happen every day and playing against Venus Williams is something that I cannot take for granted. It was such a pleasure playing such a legend.”
The crowd clearly felt the same, giving Venus a standing ovation as she exited the court. And while her singles run is over, she’s not done in Melbourne just yet-she’ll team up with Ekaterina Alexandrova in the women’s doubles draw.
This match marked another chapter in Venus’ latest comeback, which began last July at the Washington Open after more than a year away from the tour. She won her opening match there against Peyton Stearns but has since dropped six straight matches at tour level, including first-round exits at both the US Open and now the Australian Open.
Despite the results, there have been encouraging signs. She’s been competitive, pushing matches to deciding sets, and showing she still has the tools to hang with the younger generation. What’s missing is consistency-and match play.
That’s where the wildcard conversation comes in.
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash weighed in from Melbourne, saying Venus’ legendary status makes her a worthy candidate for future Grand Slam wildcards-but with a caveat.
“She certainly deserves a wildcard if she’s in some form and she plays, because she’s a superstar,” Cash said. “She’s one of the greatest tennis players we’ve ever seen.”
But he also acknowledged the debate, especially in Australia, where many want those opportunities to go to rising local talent.
“She’s got to prove herself,” Cash added. “She played a good US summer and she was playing good tennis.
I’m not sure if she ran out of gas, but it would appear so-short on match play at 4-0 up, then losing the next six games. But it’s just shown that she can still play tennis.”
Looking ahead, the idea of Venus returning to Wimbledon-where she’s a five-time champion-is an enticing one. But as Cash pointed out, that opportunity should come with expectations. If Venus is committed to playing more tournaments and building her match fitness, the case for another wildcard becomes a whole lot stronger.
For now, though, her return to Melbourne was about more than just results. It was about presence.
About history. About a 45-year-old icon still chasing the game she loves, still swinging big, still believing.
And that’s something worth celebrating-win or lose.