Venus Williams, 45, Makes History at Australian Open Even After First-Round Exit

Venus Williams plays Olga Danilovic in the Australian Open on Jan. 18, 2026.
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Robert Prange/Getty

Venus Williams Makes Australian Open History

On January 18, 2026, Venus Williams made her return to the Australian Open, breaking a tournament record as the oldest-ever woman to compete in the main draw at age 45. Despite her historical appearance, Williams faced a challenging first-round match against Serbia’s Olga Danilovic, ultimately exiting the tournament after a tough loss.

Williams began strong, securing an early 4-0 lead. However, she struggled thereafter, allowing Danilovic to secure six consecutive games, sealing Williams’ exit from the tournament after her first appearance at the event in five years. The crowd greeted her departure with applause, and she expressed her gratitude for their support.

“It was such a great game, such a great moment. The energy from the crowd was amazing. That lifted me up so much,” Williams remarked post-match. She acknowledged Danilovic’s strong performance while reflecting on her own journey back to the sport. “In a lot of ways, I’m having to relearn how to do things again,” she noted. “I’m really proud of my effort today because I’m playing better with each match, getting to the places that I want to get to.”

This was not Williams’ first encounter with the Australian Open; she had made her tournament debut in 1998 at just 17 years old. Despite her loss, she relished the experience. “It’s kind of weird, but it’s super exciting to have played that well and to get myself in that position and come very close,” she said.

Danilovic, who triumphed over the veteran player, shared her admiration for Williams. “I told myself before the match I really want to take this moment,” she stated. “Playing against Venus Williams is something I cannot take for granted. But it was such a pleasure playing against such a legend.”

Following her match, Williams was seen leaving the venue hand-in-hand with her husband, Andrea Preti. The couple made headlines in 2025 following two wedding ceremonies, one in Italy and another in Florida in December.

Reflecting on her time on the court and looking forward, Williams remains committed to enhancing her performance and enjoying the journey ahead.