Venus Williams created a remarkable piece of tennis history at the Australian Open, only to see her triumphant return end in a dramatic and heartbreaking defeat. The American legend, aged 45, became the oldest woman ever to compete in a singles match at the tournament but was ultimately beaten by Serbia's Olga Danilovic in a gripping three-set battle.
A Historic Milestone in Melbourne
By accepting a wildcard into the main draw, Williams secured her place in the record books. Her appearance in Melbourne marked her first at the Australian Open in five years, making her the oldest female singles competitor in the event's history. The seven-time Grand Slam champion first played at the tournament back in 1998 as a 17-year-old.
Williams revealed she was unaware of the historic milestone until it was highlighted in the press, reacting with her characteristic enthusiasm: “I hadn’t thought about it until it came out in the press. So yay. Yay for me! Let’s do this.”
A Thriller That Slipped Away
The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions for Williams and her supporters. After a tightly contested first set, which she claimed in a tie-break 7-6 (5), Williams faced a resurgence from the 23-year-old Danilovic, who took the second set 6-3.
The final set appeared to be going decisively Williams' way as she raced to a commanding 4-0 lead. However, in a stunning twist, Danilovic found another gear. The Serbian player won the final six games in a row, completing a spectacular comeback to seal the match 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 and deny Williams a place in the second round.
Context of a Champion's Comeback
This Australian Open campaign was part of a broader comeback for Williams, who returned to professional tennis last summer. She competed at the US Open in both singles and doubles, reaching the quarter-finals in the doubles event with partner Leylah Fernandez in September.
Despite marrying her husband, Andrea Preti, in December, Williams maintained a rigorous training schedule. She stated she had been "training non-stop those three months" prior to the wedding to prepare for her return to Australia. Her history in Melbourne includes two singles finals, both lost to her sister Serena in 2003 and 2017, and four doubles titles.
While the result was a disappointment, Williams's mere presence on the court at 45, competing at the highest level, stands as a testament to her enduring athleticism and legendary career.
