MELBOURNE, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Seven-times Grand ‌Slam champion Venus Williams thanked Australian Open organisers on Saturday for giving her a wildcard that will see ‌the 45-year-old American become the oldest woman ever to compete in the singles main draw.

Williams returned to ‌tennis last season after a 16-month break, winning one of her four tour-level matches before starting 2026 with a first-round defeat by 53rd-ranked Pole Magda Linette as a wildcard at the Auckland Classic last week.