VENUS WILLIAMS will play in a Grand Slam for the first time in two years after being handed a US Open wildcard.
World No577 Williams was given a spot in the main draw of her home Major at the age of 45.
GettyVenus Williams received a wildcard for the US Open[/caption]
It means she is set to feature in a record-extending 25th US Open singles tournament which gets underway on August 24.
And the veteran remains on course to be the oldest singles star to take to the court at Flushing Meadows for 44 years.
In 1981, Renee Richards played at the age of 47.
Many expected Williams to retire from tennis this year, having not competed between March 2024 and July 2025 due to health struggles – she needed surgery to remove fibroids from her uterus a year ago.
Her last win was way back at the Cincinnati Open in August 2023.
However, she accepted a wildcard for the Washington Open last month and stunned then-world No35 Peyton Stearns to win 6-3 6-4.
And despite a first-round loss at Cincinnati, one of the all-time greats will grace the New York courts once more at the upcoming US Open, where the prize money stands at a record $5million [£3.7m].
Williams made the final on her debut at the Grand Slam event way back in 1997, losing to Martina Hingis.
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She was crowned champion in 2000 and 2001, beating sister Serena in the latter.
But from the French Open 2002 to Wimbledon 2003, Venus reached five Grand Slam finals – and lost them all to her younger sibling.
Tennis stars’ new careers
PLENTY of tennis stars have stayed involved in the sport since retiring.
But others pursued very different careers. Here are some of the best…
I reached French Open and Wimbledon finals as a teenager but I quit to become a nun
I won Wimbledon mixed doubles with my sister but got fed up with English weather so now run luxury B&B
I was tipped for stardom aged 12 but retrained to become high-flying lawyer
I earned £9m and won French Open before setting up bistro with Brazilian model girlfriend
I’m last Frenchman to win Roland Garros, now I’m singer with six albums hitting No1 in charts
I’m former world No1 but quit aged 29 – instead I went on to play professional poker and golf
I was destined for the top but swapped lobs for labs as award-winning Harvard physicist
Venus – a five-time Wimbledon winner – will also take part in the controversial mixed doubles event in the week before the singles draws get underway.
Doubles specialists have been sidelined with a new, faster format and high-profile singles players teaming up – including Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz.
Williams received a wildcard entry alongside compatriot partner Reilly Opelka.
APVenus beat sister Serena in the 2001 final at Flushing Meadows[/caption]
