Venus Williams, 45, to Become Oldest US Open Singles Entrant in 44 Years

Venus Williams will make her long-awaited return to Grand Slam singles at the US Open after a two-year absence, having been awarded a wildcard entry on Wednesday. The seven-time major singles champion will compete at Flushing Meadows at the age of 45.

According to the International Tennis Federation, Williams will be the oldest singles competitor at the tournament since Renée Richards took part in 1981 at the age of 47.

A two-time US Open singles champion, winning in 2000 and 2001, Williams had already been granted a wildcard for next week’s mixed doubles competition in New York. The singles main draw begins on 24 August.

Her most recent Grand Slam appearance came at the 2023 US Open, where she lost in the opening round. She has not recorded a singles victory at the tournament since 2019. Last month, she made her return to the tour at the DC Open — her first competitive match in 16 months — after undergoing surgery in 2023 to remove uterine fibroids, which sidelined her for most of the season.

Asked in Washington whether her appearance marked a one-off, Williams replied: “I’m just here for now, and who knows? Maybe there’s more … I definitely feel I’ll play well. I’m still the same player. I’m a big hitter. This is my brand.”

In Washington, she became the oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match since Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon in 2004. Her return also drew attention for her light-hearted remark that she needed to get back on court for the health insurance, after announcing her engagement to an Italian actor.

Williams, who has also won 14 women’s doubles titles with her sister Serena and two mixed doubles crowns, competed at last week’s Cincinnati Open via a wildcard but exited in the first round of singles. At the US Open, she will partner American Reilly Opelka in mixed doubles.

Other women’s singles wildcards have been awarded to Americans Clervie Ngounoue, Julieta Pareja, Caty McNally, Valerie Glozman and Alyssa Ahn; France’s Caroline Garcia, who will retire after the tournament; and Australia’s Talia Gibson.

Men’s singles wildcards have gone to Americans Brandon Holt, Nishesh Basavareddy, Tristan Boyer, Emilio Nava, Stefan Dostanic and Darwin Blanch; France’s Valentin Royer; and Australia’s Tristan Schoolkate.