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Venus Williams handed US Open wildcard at 45, becomes oldest singles entrant in 44 years
Samira Vishwas | August 14, 2025 12:24 PM CST

New Delhi: Venus Williams is all set for her Grand Slam comeback at the US Open 2025. The two-time champion has been handed a wildcard to take part in the women’s singles competition at Flushing Meadows and is set to become the oldest singles player to feature in the tournament in 44 years. Williams last played a singles match at the US Open in 2023.

At 45, Williams will become the oldest entrant at the US Open since 1981. Renee Richards, who played at the US Open in 1981 at the age of 47, was the last player older than Williams to participate in the tournament, according to the International Tennis Federation. Williams has also been given a wildcard for the mixed doubles event at the US Open 2025, where she will partner American Reilly Opelka.

The 7-time Grand Slam champion made her comeback to professional tennis after 16 months at the Washington Open earlier this year. She defeated fellow American Peyton Stearns in the first round at the Washington Open to make a winning start and become the oldest player to win a WTA Tour singles match in over 21 years. However, she crashed out of the tournament after a defeat in the 2nd round.

The former world no.1 also participated in the ongoing Cincinnati Open via a wildcard last week. However, she bowed out in the first round after losing to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain. However, Williams, who has decided not to retire just yet, will be hoping to make history when she makes her comeback at the US Open 2025 next week.

Will Venus Williams retire at US Open 2025?

The tennis world was left surprised when Venus announced her comeback at the Washington Open earlier this year. Having turned 45 and been inactive on the circuit for over a year, many thought her career was all but over. However, the 7-time Grand Slam champion said her love for the game prompted her to return to tennis.

Williams shone in her first-round tie against Stearns, but her subsequent defeat against Magdalena French in the second round proved that age was not on her side. A legend in her own right, Venus will be making a record-extending 25th appearance at the US Open this year and might call it a day after featuring in her home tournament for one final time.

Though she hasn’t hinted about retirement yet, Venus is in the final lap of his career and might like to sign off on a high at the US Open 2025.


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