Yay for me! Venus Williams set for a record at the Australian Open

Venus Williams, 45, made history before even stepping onto the court at the Australian Open, becoming the oldest player ever to compete in the women’s singles draw as she prepares for her first-round match on Sunday.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion seemed surprised when reminded of this milestone during her pre-tournament press conference. “I hadn’t thought about it until it came out in the press,” Williams said with characteristic enthusiasm. “So yay. Yay for me! Let’s do this.”

Williams received a wild-card entry for this year’s tournament, marking her return to Melbourne Park for the first time since 2021. This appearance represents her 22nd Australian Open, a remarkable testament to her longevity in the sport. Her first appearance at the tournament came in 1998, when she reached the quarterfinals as a 17-year-old rising star fresh off her first U.S. Open final appearance.

“It was a beautiful time, because there’s so much I didn’t know,” Williams reflected on her first Australian Open. “But there’s a great thing of not knowing because it lets you have a clean slate. There was so much I needed to learn, and then I learned it.”

The veteran American’s perspective on competition has evolved over her nearly three-decade professional career. “The thing about sport — you keep stepping up to the line, and while there is nothing to prove, it’s all about the attitude and the effort. No one can control that. Controlling that part is really the win,” she said.

Williams’ comeback to professional tennis began in July 2023, following a significant period away from competition. Between tournaments, she celebrated a personal milestone, marrying Italian actor and director Andrea Preti in December. The couple was seen walking hand-in-hand through the renovated player areas at Melbourne Park, which Williams noted look quite different from her last visit.

Currently ranked 576th due to her limited tournament schedule, Williams faces 24-year-old Serbian left-hander Olga Danilovic in the first round. The match is scheduled as the final contest on John Cain Arena on Sunday. Danilovic, ranked 68th, has more recent Grand Slam success, having reached the fourth round in Australia last year – her best major tournament result to date.

Williams’ 2024 season has started with first-round exits at warm-up tournaments in both New Zealand and Hobart, suggesting she’s still finding her competitive rhythm. Despite these early setbacks, she remains positive about her game.

“At this point, I need to be kind to myself, because I’m getting so many things right, but, you know, there has been a lack of playing matches,” Williams explained. “So I’m playing well. I’m setting myself up each point to win points and controlling the points. That’s exactly how I’d want to play, and I’m playing the tennis I need to play.”

Should Williams defeat Danilovic, a significant challenge awaits in the second round – a potential matchup with third-seeded American Coco Gauff, the reigning U.S. Open champion who represents the new generation of American tennis talent.

Williams’ last Grand Slam appearance at the 2023 U.S. Open ended with a first-round loss, but her continued presence on tour serves as inspiration for players of all ages. Her career spans multiple eras of women’s tennis, having competed against legends from Steffi Graf to current stars like Iga Świątek.

The Australian Open has historically been a successful tournament for the Williams family, with Venus reaching the final twice (2003 and 2017) and her sister Serena capturing the title seven times. While Venus has never won the Melbourne title, her persistence and passion for the game continue to write new chapters in her remarkable tennis legacy.