(Wellington) American Venus Williams, 42, will turn back time next month after accepting an invitation to play in the main draws at the Australian Open and the WTA tournament in Auckland, it has been announced Wednesday.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion, whose last appearance on the court was at the US Open in September, then in doubles with her sister Serena, will feature in singles in Auckland, New Zealand, ahead of the Australian Open from Australia, which begins on January 16.
It will be the 22e Venus Williams’ appearance at Melbourne Park, where she made her Australian Open debut 25 years ago and reached the final in 2003 and 2017.
In her last performance, in 2021, she was eliminated in the second round.
“I’m very excited (at the prospect) of returning to Melbourne to compete at the Australian Open,” Williams said in a statement.
“I’ve been competing (in Australia) for over 20 years now and I’m looking forward to building more tournament memories this year,” she added.
The former world number one has rarely played in recent years, with her international singles ranking dropping to 1007e square.
She will warm up for Melbourne at the Auckland tournament, starting January 2, where she will be one of four Grand Slam winners in attendance, alongside former United States Open champions, Britain’s Emma Raducanu and the American Sloane Stephens, and the 2020 Australian Open champion, American Sofia Kenin.
“I can’t wait to play my first tournament of the season in Auckland,” said Williams, who won the tournament in 2015. “The tournament and the fans always make me feel welcome, and I look forward to it. in January,” she said enthusiastically.
The eldest of the Williams sisters has won 49 career titles, including five Wimbledon titles and two US Open titles