WELLINGTON: Venus Williams will roll back the years next month, with the 42-year-old accepting wildcards to play in the main draws of both australian open and the Auckland WTA tournaments, it was announced on Wednesday.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion, who last played on the court at September’s US Open in doubles with her sister Serena, will be in singles in Auckland ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 16.
This will be Venus Williams’ 22nd appearance at Melbourne Park, where she made her Australian Open debut 25 years ago and reached finals in 2003 and 2017.
His last appearance was a second-round exit in 2021.
“I am very happy to be returning to Melbourne to compete in the Australian Open,” Williams said in a statement.
“I’ve been competing in (Australia) for over 20 years now and I’m looking forward to making more tournament memories this year.”
Williams, a former world number one, has rarely played in recent years, with her world singles ranking falling to 1007th.
She will be warming up for Melbourne in Auckland, where she will be one of four Grand Slam winners on the court alongside former US Open champions Emma Raducanu and Sloane Stephens, and The Open winner of Australia 2020 Sofia Kenin.
“I can’t wait to play my first tournament of the season in Auckland,” said Williams, who won the tournament in 2015.
“The tournament and the fans always make me feel welcome, and I’m excited to be part of it in January.”
Williams’ older sister has won 49 titles in her career, including Wimbledon five times and the US Open twice.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion, who last played on the court at September’s US Open in doubles with her sister Serena, will be in singles in Auckland ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 16.
This will be Venus Williams’ 22nd appearance at Melbourne Park, where she made her Australian Open debut 25 years ago and reached finals in 2003 and 2017.
His last appearance was a second-round exit in 2021.
“I am very happy to be returning to Melbourne to compete in the Australian Open,” Williams said in a statement.
“I’ve been competing in (Australia) for over 20 years now and I’m looking forward to making more tournament memories this year.”
Williams, a former world number one, has rarely played in recent years, with her world singles ranking falling to 1007th.
She will be warming up for Melbourne in Auckland, where she will be one of four Grand Slam winners on the court alongside former US Open champions Emma Raducanu and Sloane Stephens, and The Open winner of Australia 2020 Sofia Kenin.
“I can’t wait to play my first tournament of the season in Auckland,” said Williams, who won the tournament in 2015.
“The tournament and the fans always make me feel welcome, and I’m excited to be part of it in January.”
Williams’ older sister has won 49 titles in her career, including Wimbledon five times and the US Open twice.
