🔗 Share this article The Legendary Williams, Awarded Special Entry for Her Initial Melbourne Major in Five Years. Seven-time Grand Slam title holder Venus Williams has secured a wild-card entry for the Australian Open, which kicks off on January 18 in Melbourne. A Landmark Comeback to Melbourne Park The event organizers confirmed on Friday that the forty-five-year-old icon will grace the courts again at the tournament venue a remarkable 28 years after her first appearance. During 1998, she overcame her younger sister Serena in the second round before bowing out in the last eight to compatriot Lindsay Davenport. Preparing for the Summer Swing The tennis star had previously revealed in November her plans to compete in New Zealand's Auckland Classic, where she was likewise awarded a wild card, two weeks before the Melbourne event. The Australian Open noted that Williams is scheduled to play a tournament in Australia's Hobart International a week later, just before the start of play at Melbourne Park. Her most recent visit in Melbourne was in 2021, and she has finished runner-up in the women’s singles on two occasions, losing to Serena in the championship matches of 2003 as well as 2017. "I’m excited to be back in the country and looking forward to playing during the summer season," Venus said. "I’ve had so many incredible moments there, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to go back to a venue that has been so significant to my professional journey." Statistical Highlights Williams' overall record at the Australian Open stands at an notable 54 victories and 21 losses. This year will mark the twenty-second occasion she has appeared in the primary tournament field. Setting a Fresh Benchmark The tournament indicated that Williams is poised to be the most senior female player to compete in an Australian Open singles competition, eclipsing the record previously held by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she was defeated in the opening round at the venue in 2015. Recent Personal Milestone In the final days of December, Williams married Danish-born model and actor Andrea Preti in Florida's Palm Beach.