Tennis star Venus Williams secures U.S. Open wild card at 45, making her the oldest player in singles since 1981.
Venus Williams Returns to U.S. Open at Age 45
Venus Williams, a tennis legend with seven major singles championships and 14 women's doubles championships, is set to make a splash at the U.S. Open this year. At the age of 45, she will be the oldest entrant in singles since Renee Richards was 47 in 1981.
Williams last played at the U.S. Open in 2023, where she lost in the first round. However, her comeback has been a testament to her resilience, as she resumed her professional career in July 2025 after a 16-month hiatus, during which she underwent surgery for uterine fibroids.
In her return to the tour last month at the DC Open, she played her first match in 16 months. Although she exited in the first round of singles at the Cincinnati Open last week, she has received a wild-card invitation from the U.S. Tennis Association for the U.S. Open singles and mixed doubles.
In mixed doubles, she will partner with Reilly Opelka, a 27-year-old American who was previously ranked in the top 20. The pair will compete in the Aug. 19-20 mixed doubles tournament at the U.S. Open.
Other women receiving singles wild cards for the U.S. Open are Americans Clervie Ngounoue, Julieta Pareja, Caty McNally, Valerie Glozman, and Alyssa Ahn, plus France's Caroline Garcia and Australia's Talia Gibson. Notably, Garcia, who will retire after the U.S. Open, is also on the list.
Despite her recent challenges, Williams' legacy in Grand Slam tennis remains significant. She has won five Wimbledon championships and, alongside her sister Serena, has captured 14 Grand Slam doubles titles. As of 2025, she has a career record of 819-280 in singles and 22 doubles titles.
While Williams' recent results may not be as strong as in her prime, her ongoing participation in the sport continues to inspire. She will undoubtedly bring her signature power and precision to the U.S. Open this year.
Read also:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Independence supporters in New Caledonia refuse agreement offering authority without a vote on sovereignty
