Venus Williams will make a remarkable return to Grand Slam singles competition at the US Open, receiving a wildcard to compete at Flushing Meadows at the age of 45. Her participation marks her first appearance in a major singles draw since 2023 and makes her the oldest singles entrant at the tournament in 44 years. The last player to hold that distinction was Renee Richards, who competed at 47 in 1981.
A seven-time major singles champion, Williams lifted the US Open trophy in 2000 and 2001. She had already secured a place in this year’s mixed doubles draw alongside American partner Reilly Opelka. Singles matches will get underway on August 24, offering Williams the chance to extend her legacy at one of the sport’s most iconic venues.
Her last US Open singles match came in 2023, ending in a first-round defeat, and she has not claimed a singles win there since 2019. Williams returned to competitive tennis last month at the DC Open after a 16-month hiatus, following surgery to remove uterine fibroids. In Washington, she made headlines by becoming the oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match since Martina Navratilova achieved the feat in 2004.
The comeback has been accompanied by renewed determination. Known for her powerful baseline game and aggressive shot-making, Williams insists she remains the same formidable competitor she has always been. “I’m still the same player. I’m a big hitter. This is my brand,” she said during her DC Open appearance. Her recent return also brought a light-hearted moment, as she joked about getting back on court for the health insurance after announcing her engagement to an Italian actor.
Williams’ illustrious doubles record adds further weight to her career achievements. She has won 14 women’s doubles titles with her sister Serena, as well as two in mixed doubles. Her ability to remain competitive across formats and decades underscores her remarkable longevity in professional tennis.
Other women’s singles wildcards for the US Open have been awarded to rising American talents Clervie Ngounoue, Julieta Pareja, Caty McNally, Valerie Glozman, and Alyssa Ahn, alongside France’s Caroline Garcia, who will retire after the event, and Australia’s Talia Gibson.
For Williams, this year’s US Open is not just another tournament it is another chapter in an enduring career that continues to defy time, blending experience, resilience, and a love for the game that shows no sign of fading.
