Venus Williams has etched her name into the tennis history books with a record-breaking appearance at the Australian Open in Melbourne. At 45 years old, the American legend became the oldest woman ever to compete in the singles tournament at the season's first Grand Slam.
A Thrilling Three-Set Battle
The historic moment came on Sunday, 18 January 2026, after Williams accepted a wildcard entry into the main draw. Her first-round opponent was Serbia's Olga Danilovic, a player 21 years her junior at just 24 years old. What followed was a captivating and dramatic match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Williams demonstrated her enduring class and fighting spirit by winning the first set in a tense tie-break, 7-6 (5). Despite dropping the second set 6-3, the seven-time Grand Slam champion stormed into a commanding lead in the deciding third set, racing to a 4-0 advantage and seemingly having one foot in the second round.
A Remarkable Comeback Seals the Result
However, Danilovic staged an extraordinary fightback, refusing to be overwhelmed by the occasion or her legendary opponent. The young Serbian found her rhythm and began to claw her way back into the contest, ultimately winning six consecutive games to take the set 6-4 and secure a memorable victory with a final scoreline of 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4.
Despite the heartbreaking nature of the defeat, Williams was given a rousing and prolonged standing ovation from the Melbourne crowd, who recognised the significance of her achievement and her incredible effort on court.
What's Next for the Tennis Icon?
This singles match is not the end of Williams's Australian Open campaign. She is scheduled to compete in the women's doubles tournament, partnering with Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova. More significantly, Williams has made it clear that her return to professional tennis is far from over.
In comments following the match, the veteran expressed a desire to play a more regular schedule and to continue working on improving her game. This suggests that fans may see more of Williams on tour as she defies age and expectations in pursuit of her passion for competition.
While her record-breaking singles run ended in a narrow defeat, Venus Williams's appearance at the 2026 Australian Open will be remembered as a testament to her longevity, resilience, and undying love for the sport of tennis.
