Former world number one Venus Williams said making history at the Australian Open was “a great moment”, despite losing in three sets to Olga Danilovic in the first round on Sunday.
Aged 45, the American legend became the oldest player to compete in the women’s singles at the Open Era tournament after accepting a wildcard into the main draw.
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She surpassed the previous record held by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she lost in the first round in 2015.
But Williams’ record-breaking day didn’t end in victory as she surrendered a 4-0 lead in the deciding set.
“It was such a great match and such a great moment,” said the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion.
“I’m playing better every game and getting to the places I want to go.”
Williams was 17 when she made her debut at the Australian Open in 1998, three years before her first-round opponent Danilovic was born.
However, she has never won the singles title at Melbourne Park, finishing second to her sister Serena Williams in 2003 and 2017.
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Williams said she felt “lifted up by the energy of the crowd” at the start of the first round match, hitting a forehand winner to take the first set 7-6 (7-5).
Serbian Danilovic, ranked 69th in the world, fought back to win the second set in just 30 minutes, but Williams looked on course for a first victory in a Grand Slam singles match since Wimbledon 2021 when she double-break ahead in the deciding set – only to lose the next six games in a row.
“She played a good game, hopefully there too,” added Williams. “But that’s just sport and that’s how it works sometimes.
“I felt good at 4-0. It’s the biggest lead I’ve had since I came back.”
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Her opponent Danilovic certainly understood the importance of their first-round encounter, adding: “I told myself before the match that I really wanted to enjoy this moment. These things don’t happen every day and playing against Venus Williams is something I can’t take for granted.
“It was such a pleasure to play such a legend.”
Williams received a standing ovation as she left John Cain Arena and will now look forward to playing women’s doubles alongside Ekaterina Alexandrova.
‘Superstar’ Williams must ‘prove himself’ to win Wimbledon wildcard – Cash
Williams had not played for more than a year when she returned to the WTA Tour at the Washington Open in July 2025.
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She beat fellow American Peyton Stearns in his opening match of this event, but lost his next six matches at tour level.
That streak includes first-round losses at the US Open and Australian Open after earning wildcards. She competed well in both meets, but lost both in the deciding sets.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s daily Australian Open podcast, former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said she believed Williams’ status in the sport meant she should be considered for wildcards at future Grand Slam tournaments such as Wimbledon this summer – but only if her form and results merit them.
“Venus didn’t play a lot of tennis, she won about three matches in three years,” Cash said.
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“She definitely deserves a wildcard if she’s in a certain shape and playing, because she’s a superstar. She’s one of the greatest tennis players we’ve ever seen.
“A lot of Australians are saying ‘we have to give them (wildcards) to young players, why do we have to give them to Venus, she has to prove herself’.
“She played a good summer in the United States and she was playing good tennis. I don’t know if she ran out of gas, but it seemed like she did, (being) out of match play at 4-0 and then losing the next six matches. But it just shows that she can still play tennis.
“In the future, Wimbledon would be great for her to play again (but) I don’t think the All England Club should just give her a wildcard because she’s Venus Williams. I think she needs to prove herself.
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“She says she’s committed to playing more tournaments and that’s a good sign because she’s missing matches.”
