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At 45, Venus Williams sets record at Australian Open but falls in the 1st round
Venus Williams, 45, entered the Australian Open on a wild-card and nearly won her first-round match, extending her record as the oldest competitor in the singles main draw.
- On January 18, 2026, Venus Williams, 45-year-old seven-time major winner, became the oldest woman to start an Australian Open singles main draw, surpassing Kimiko Date, former record-holder at 44.
- Playing on a wild-card entry, Venus Williams entered the tournament on a five-match losing streak but aimed for a win that could lead to a match against Coco Gauff.
- Williams served a penultimate game lasting 14 minutes 28 seconds before Olga Danilovic rallied to win 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 in 2 hours, 17 minutes Sunday.
- She'll keep competing in the doubles at Melbourne Park and then consider her schedule for the rest of 2026, saying she is proud of her effort and playing better with each match.
- On a long career arc to Melbourne, Williams made her 22nd trip to Melbourne Park and first since 2021, after debuting at 17 in 1998 and reaching finals against sister Serena in 2003 and 2017.
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At 45, Venus Williams sets record at Australian Open but falls in the 1st round
It took 45 years to be in a position to set a record that has drawn so much attention. So another 14 1/2 minutes serving to keep her Australian Open hopes alive felt like no time at all for Venus Williams.
·Atlanta, United States
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At 45, Venus Williams sets record at Australian Open but falls in first round
Just by starting the first-round match, Williams became the oldest woman to compete in an Australian Open singles main draw, surpassing the mark set by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she lost in the first round in 2015.
·Stamford, United States
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Total News Sources13
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Left, 45% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Left, 45% of the sources are Center
46% Left
L 46%
C 45%
Factuality
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