Venus Williams joins elite company with Martina Navratilova

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The seven-time Grand Slam champion continues to defy age as she prepares for another Australian Open appearance.

Venus Williams’ run at the ASB Classic came to an end on Tuesday after a hard-fought three-set defeat to Magda Linette, with the Polish world number 52 prevailing 6–4, 4–6, 6–2. The result followed Williams’ earlier doubles exit alongside Alexandra Eala and Iva Jovic.

While the singles loss ended her Auckland campaign, the 45-year-old now turns her focus to the Australian Open, where she will compete as a wildcard entrant. In doing so, she continues to extend one of the most remarkable longevity stories in modern tennis.

Williams enters exclusive company alongside Navratilova

According to OptaAce, Williams has now become only the second player since 1990, aged 45 or older, to contest five or more WTA Tour-level matches — joining Martina Navratilova in an extremely exclusive group. Navratilova herself played eight such matches after turning 45 before retiring in 2006, just months shy of her 50th birthday.

Williams reached the milestone after playing her first match at age 45 at the 2025 Washington Open, where she stunned world number 35 Peyton Stearns with a 6–4, 6–4 victory in front of an energized home crowd. The performance even prompted Navratilova to admit she had underestimated Williams’ comeback, calling the result “unbelievable” and praising her for defeating a top-ranked opponent.

Williams embraces record-breaking Australian Open return

Williams is now set to become the oldest woman to compete in the Australian Open when she takes the court in Melbourne later this month. Asked about the achievement during her press conference in Auckland, the American responded with trademark humour, saying she plans to maintain her beauty routine, eat well and arrive as “the oldest, best-looking, greatest-skin woman in the draw.”

As she prepares for another Grand Slam appearance, Williams continues to redefine what is possible in professional tennis, combining elite performance with enduring star power.