Venus Williams accepts Australian Open wild card

Seven-time major champion and former No.1 Venus Williams has been awarded a main-draw wild card for the 2023 Australian Open in the tournament set to begin on Jan. 16 at Melbourne Park 2023.

A two-time finalist, Williams, 42, is set to make her 22nd appearance at the Australian Open, having made her tournament debut 25 years ago in 1998.

“I am very excited to be returning to Melbourne to compete at the Australian Open in January,” Williams said.

“I have been competing in the country for over 20 years now and the Australian community has always supported me wholeheartedly. It will be an honor to play for the fans again and I am looking forward to making more memories at the tournament this year.”

Williams played just four tournaments in 2022 and will return to Melbourne for the first time since a second-round exit in 2021.

“Venus is not just an incredible player and fan favorite, she is a great role model and leader in our sport in so many ways,” Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said.

“We are delighted to welcome her back to the AO in January.”

World No.1 Iga Swiatek leads the entry list for next year's Australian Open, which is based on the WTA rankings of the week beginning Dec. 5.

Reigning Roland Garros and US Open champion Swiatek is one of 13 current or former Grand Slam winners who have entered the first major of 202.

The Pole, who reached her first Australian Open semifinal this year, will be bidding to add a fourth Grand Slam title to her haul so far.

Three former Australian Open champions are in the line-up -- Victoria Azarenka (2012-13), Naomi Osaka (2019, 2021) and Sofia Kenin (2020) -- as well as three former Australian Open runners-up, Petra Kvitova (2019), Garbiñe Muguruza (2020) and Danielle Collins (2022).

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This year's champion, Ashleigh Barty, retired from professional tennis in March and will not defend her title.

Alongside Swiatek, Azarenka, Osaka, Kenin, Kvitova and Muguruza, the remaining roster of Grand Slam champions with direct entry comprises Jelena Ostapenko, Barbora Krejcikova, Elena Rybakina, Sloane Stephens, Bianca Andreescu and Emma Raducanu.

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