🔗 Share this article The Legendary Williams, Awarded Special Entry for Her Initial Melbourne Major in Half a Decade. A seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams has secured a wild-card entry for the Australian Open, commencing on January 18 in Melbourne. A Landmark Return to the Australian Courts Tournament officials announced on Friday that the forty-five-year-old legend will make a return at the tournament venue a remarkable 28 years after her first appearance. During 1998, she defeated her younger sister Serena in the early stage before exiting in the quarter-finals to fellow American Lindsay Davenport. Preparing for the Summer Swing Venus had earlier stated in the month of November her intention to compete in Auckland, New Zealand, where she was likewise awarded a wild card, a fortnight before the Australian Open. Organizers added that Williams is scheduled to play a tournament in Hobart, Australia a week later, immediately prior to the start of play at Melbourne Park. Her last appearance in Melbourne was in 2021, and she has been a finalist in the singles competition on two separate instances, losing to Serena in the finals of 2003 and 2017. "I’m excited to return in the country and eagerly anticipating competing during the summer season," Williams said. "I’ve had so many unforgettable memories there, and I’m thankful for the chance to return to a place that has been so significant to my career." By the Numbers Williams' overall record at Melbourne Park stands at an notable 54 victories and 21 defeats. This year will mark the 22nd time she has competed 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 main draw, eclipsing the record formerly set by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she lost in the first round at the venue in 2015. Latest Personal Milestone In the final days of December, Williams wed Danish-born model and actor Andrea Preti in Florida's Palm Beach.