45-Year-Old Venus Williams Makes History at Australian Open, Falls to Olga Danilovic

New Delhi: Tennis legend Venus Williams has made history at the 2026 Australian Open by becoming the oldest player to compete in a women’s singles match at the Grand Slam, at the age of 45. However, her historic run came to an end in a hard-fought first-round clash against Olga Danilovic, losing 7-6 (5), 3-6, 4-6.

Williams had a strong start, at one point leading 4-0 in the third set, but Danilovic staged a remarkable comeback to seal the victory. With this achievement, Venus surpassed Japan’s Kimiko Date, who had previously held the record as the oldest women’s singles player at 44 years.

Venus on Her Performance
Reflecting on the match, Venus said, “I’m proud of my performance today. I focus on improving my game with every match, and I’m happy with how I competed.”

Other Notable Wins
World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and top-ranked women’s player Aryna Sabalenka made strong starts in the tournament, winning their first-round matches in straight sets. Alcaraz faced a brief challenge from Australia’s Adam Walton, including a tiebreaker in the second set, but ultimately triumphed 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-2. Meanwhile, Sabalenka recovered from a slow start to defeat Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-4, 6-1.

The opening day at Melbourne Park witnessed a record-breaking 100,763 fans, including tennis greats Rod Laver and Roger Federer, who were present to watch the action live.

Venus Williams’ historic appearance, even in defeat, is a testament to her longevity and enduring impact on the sport, inspiring generations of players and fans alike.