Venus Williams Makes History In Dramatic Australian Open Return

Venus Williams, a towering figure in tennis for nearly three decades, made history once again on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Australian Open in Melbourne. At 45 years old, Williams became the oldest woman ever to compete in the singles main draw at the tournament, a feat that drew admiration and a standing ovation from the packed crowd inside John Cain Arena. Her return, five years after her last appearance at Melbourne Park, was marked by drama, resilience, and a match that will linger in the memory of tennis fans worldwide.

Williams, who entered the tournament on a wildcard and ranked No. 576, faced Serbia’s Olga Danilovic, a player more than two decades her junior and ranked 69th in the world. The American legend’s appearance alone was a testament to her enduring commitment to the sport. As she stepped onto the court, the crowd rose to its feet, acknowledging not just her age-defying presence but her storied career, which includes seven Grand Slam singles titles and four Australian Open doubles crowns.

From the outset, Williams looked determined to silence any doubts about her form. She raced to a 2-0 lead in the opening set, feeding off the energy of the crowd and unleashing vintage winners that reminded everyone of her prime. The first set was a tense affair, with both players trading breaks and holding serve under pressure. Williams had to fight off a resurgent Danilovic, who leveled the set at 2-2, but the American’s experience shone through in the tiebreak. On her fourth set point, Williams ripped a forehand winner, clinching the set 7-6(5) and sending the arena into a frenzy.

"It was such a great game, such a great moment," Williams reflected after the match. "The energy from the crowd was amazing. That lifted me up so much. She played a great game. Also some luck there, as well. That's just the sport. That's how it works sometimes. But it was an amazing moment."

Danilovic, only 24 and not even born when Williams made her Australian Open debut in 1998, settled into her rhythm in the second set. The Serbian left-hander began to dictate play, using her powerful forehand and net play to put Williams on the defensive. Danilovic surged to a 3-0 lead and wrapped up the set 6-3 in just 30 minutes, leveling the match and setting the stage for a dramatic decider.

The final set was a microcosm of Williams’ career—full of grit, highs, and unexpected turns. Williams stormed ahead 4-0, seemingly poised to claim her first Grand Slam singles win since Wimbledon in 2021 and become the oldest woman to ever win a match at the Australian Open. The crowd sensed history in the making, cheering every point as Williams used her trademark serve and aggressive groundstrokes to dominate the early exchanges.

But Danilovic was undeterred. "At 0-4, I said to myself, 'Just play, just take everything out and play point by point'," Danilovic said in her on-court interview. What followed was a stunning turnaround. The Serbian reeled off six consecutive games, displaying remarkable composure and shot-making under pressure. The turning point came at 4-4, in a marathon service game that lasted nearly 15 minutes and featured eight deuces. Williams had seven game points but could not convert, as Danilovic’s relentless returns and fearless play swung the momentum in her favor.

As Danilovic broke for 5-4 and served for the match, Williams dug deep, fighting for every point. The penultimate game, which lasted 14 and a half minutes, was a testament to both players’ determination. Ultimately, Danilovic closed out the match 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4, as Williams sent a forehand wide, ending an epic contest that lasted over two hours.

The crowd responded with a standing ovation, recognizing the magnitude of Williams’ effort and her place in tennis history. Williams, who first played the Australian Open as a 17-year-old in 1998 and has now played nearly 1,100 matches with over 800 wins, left the court with her trademark smile. She remains the most decorated Olympic tennis player of all time and has reached the Australian Open singles final twice, in 2003 and 2017, losing both times to her sister Serena Williams.

"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. Right now I'm just going to have to keep going forward and working on myself and working to control my errors," Williams told reporters. "Those are things that come with playing extra matches, like getting your feet in the right position, choosing the right shots, all of those things I'm still learning. It's weird but it's super exciting to have played that well and to get myself in that position and come very close."

Williams’ journey back to Melbourne was not just about tennis. She married Andrea Preti in December 2025 but revealed she had been "training non-stop those three months" ahead of her return. After a 16-month break from competition, she began her comeback last summer at the D.C. Open in Washington, D.C., where she notched a win over then world No. 35 Peyton Stearns. Her recent form had been challenging, entering the Australian Open on a five-match losing streak, but her performance against Danilovic proved she still belongs on the sport’s biggest stages.

For Danilovic, the victory was more than just a win. "These things don't happen every day and playing against Venus Williams is something that I cannot take for granted, but there were a lot of nerves," she said. "I'm happy I managed to get this one but it was such a pleasure playing against a legend." Danilovic’s reward is a second-round matchup against either Coco Gauff or Kamilla Rakhimova, but for many, her comeback against Williams will be the defining moment of her tournament.

Williams’ Australian Open story isn’t over yet. She will compete in the doubles draw alongside Ekaterina Alexandrova, aiming to add to her four Australian Open doubles titles. And if her post-match comments are any indication, fans can expect to see more of Venus on tour this year. "I'll think about what's next for me. I have the doubles here, so my focus is that right now."

As the lights dimmed on John Cain Arena, the legacy of Venus Williams shone brighter than ever. Her fight, her joy, and her love for the game continue to inspire, regardless of the scoreboard. The tennis world will be watching as she writes the next chapter of her remarkable career.