At a Glance
- Venus Williams, 44, became the oldest woman ever to play Australian Open singles
- She led 4-0 in the final set before falling 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 to Olga Danilovic
- The seven-time major winner’s comeback bid ends in the first round
Why it matters: Williams’ record-breaking appearance shows age is no barrier to elite competition and fuels speculation on how long the tennis legend can extend her career.
Venus Williams walked onto Melbourne Park’s court as the oldest woman in Australian Open history. Forty-five minutes later, she left it having pushed a rising opponent to the brink and proving her competitive fire still burns.
Historic Start, Bitter Finish
Ranked No. 576 and granted a wild-card invitation, Williams needed only a first-serve to surpass Japan’s Kimiko Date’s 2015 mark as the oldest female singles competitor at the tournament. She seized the milestone with typical aggression, carving a 4-0 lead in the deciding set against world No. 68 Olga Danilovic.
The 22nd trip to Melbourne Park for the seven-time Grand Slam titlist looked destined for a storybook twist. Williams cracked vintage winners, dropped just five points across four games and appeared poised for her first victory since Washington last summer.
Then momentum flipped. Danilovic reeled off six consecutive games, breaking Williams in a 14-minute, 28-second ninth game that featured bruising forehand exchanges, lunging volleys and roars from the stands.
“It was an amazing journey on the court today,” Williams said, smiling as she waved to the crowd after the 2-hour, 17-minute contest. “The energy from the crowd was amazing. That lifted me up so much.”
The Decisive Game
Serving at 4-4, Williams saved two break points and created three game points of her own with clutch aces and clean winners. Danilovic refused to fold, finally converting her fourth break chance when a Williams forehand clipped the net and landed wide.
Key moments in the 14:28 game:
- Williams saves break point with 108-mph ace out wide
- Danilovic answers with forehand winner up the line
- Williams earns game point with swinging volley winner
- Serb converts break on net-cord error
“She played a great game,” Williams said. “Also, some luck there, as well. That’s just the sport.”
Danilovic, 21, closed out the upset on serve, sealing a 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 victory that snapped her own three-match losing streak.
Reflections on a Record
By merely starting the match, Williams eclipsed Date’s age record set at 44 years, 100 days. Williams turned 44 in June and married financier Andrea Preti in December; the couple traveled together throughout Melbourne.
“I’m really proud of my effort today because I’m playing better with each match,” Williams said. “Right now, I’m just going to have to keep going forward and working on myself.”
The American’s last appearance at the Australian Open came in 2021, when she fell in the second round. She first played the event in 1998 at age 17, reaching the quarterfinals, and lost finals to sister Serena in 2003 and 2017.
Gauff Showdown on Hold
Williams admitted she targeted more than the age mark. A win would have set up a potential second-round clash with Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old American who has often cited Venus and Serena as inspirations.
That matchup will have to wait. Williams now turns her focus to doubles, partnered with fellow veteran Asia Muhammad. No decision has been made on future singles events in 2026.
“Right now I’m very much in the tournament,” she said. “My next focus is the doubles. So that’s where my head is.”
Comeback Trail
Sunday’s defeat extends Williams’ losing streak to six matches since her lone victory in Washington last July. Her U.S. Open comeback last August also ended in the first round.
Still, the performance offered encouragement. The 4-0 lead represented her largest advantage in any match since returning to the tour.
“Yeah, at 4-love I felt good,” she said. “In a lot of ways I’m having to relearn how to do things again, if that makes any sense.”
Danilovic praised the legend across the net: “Playing against Venus Williams is something I can’t take for granted. At 4-0, I said ‘just play.’ It was such a pleasure playing against such a legend.”
Key Takeaways
- Williams’ age record will stand regardless of future appearances; the mark is now 44 years and counting
- Her competitive level suggests retirement isn’t imminent, with doubles still ahead in Melbourne
- The near-upset underlines the thin margins separating elite players, regardless of ranking or age
- Natalie A. Brooks reported the match for News Of Fort Worth
