Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams is making a remarkable comeback to the US Open after being awarded a wildcard entry, becoming the oldest singles competitor at a major in 44 years. At 45, Williams will make her 25th appearance at her home Grand Slam, aiming to add another milestone to her illustrious career. She last played a major at the 2023 US Open and is currently ranked 577th in the world.
Williams returned to competitive tennis in July after a 16-month absence, securing a notable first-round victory over fellow American Peyton Stearns at the Washington Open. That win made her the oldest player to claim a WTA Tour singles match in over two decades. Although she fell in the second round to fifth seed Magdalena Frech and suffered an early loss in Cincinnati, her performances were strong enough to earn the New York wildcard.
The two-time US Open champion, who lifted the trophy in 2000 and 2001, will also participate in the revamped mixed doubles alongside Reilly Opelka. Her singles appearance will be the first by a player of her age at the tournament since Renee Richards competed at 47 in 1981.
Williams has spoken openly about her return, attributing it to her enduring passion for tennis and the hard-court season. Her aggressive, “big-hitting” style remains intact, a hallmark of her rise to stardom in the late 1990s and early 2000s. While some critics argue that her wildcard could have gone to a younger player, others believe legends of the sport deserve the opportunity to compete on the biggest stages.
Whether this US Open appearance becomes a farewell moment similar to her sister Serena’s 2022 send-off remains to be seen. For now, Venus Williams is proving she’s not ready to put down her racquet just yet, bringing experience, history, and star power back to Flushing Meadows.
