Venus Williams Makes History as Oldest US Open Singles Entrant Since 1981
At 45, Venus Williams secured a US Open wild card, becoming the oldest singles competitor since 1981. She also played mixed doubles, marking a significant return after recent surgery.
Overview
At 45 years old, Venus Williams received a wild card entry for the US Open, making her the oldest singles competitor at the tournament since 1981, a significant milestone in her career.
Her participation sets a new age record, surpassing Renee Richards' 1981 appearance and making her the oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match since Martina Navratilova in 2004.
Williams, a seven-time major singles champion, secured her spot despite undergoing surgery last year for uterine fibroids, which had caused her to miss most of the previous season.
In addition to her singles entry, Venus Williams also competed in the mixed doubles tournament at the US Open, partnering with Reilly Opelka, demonstrating her continued versatility.
Her remarkable return to the major stage, after health challenges, underscores her enduring legacy, setting a new age benchmark for US Open singles players in over four decades.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover Venus Williams' U.S. Open wild card with a neutral, fact-based approach. They focus on providing comprehensive details regarding her age, historical context, recent performance, and health, without employing loaded language or pushing a specific narrative. The reporting prioritizes factual information and relevant background, maintaining an objective tone throughout.
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FAQ
Venus Williams lost in the second round of the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open to Magdalena Frech with a score of 6-2, 6-2, ending her fairytale comeback run at that event.
Venus Williams underwent surgery for uterine fibroids in 2024, which caused her to miss most of the previous season before making her comeback in 2025.
At 45, Venus Williams became the oldest singles competitor at the US Open since 1981 and the oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match since Martina Navratilova in 2004.
Venus Williams is competing in both the singles and mixed doubles events at the 2025 US Open, partnering with Reilly Opelka in mixed doubles.
Venus Williams' wild card entry highlights a significant milestone in her career, marking her return to major tournaments after health challenges and setting a new age benchmark for US Open singles players not seen since 1981.
History
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