Venus Williams given US Open wild card at the age of 45
Two-time former tennis champion Venus Williams has been handed a wild card for the US Open, at the age of 45.
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This will make her the oldest singles entrant for the tournament in 44 years, after Renee Richards played there at 47 in 1981, according to the International Tennis Federation.
The seven-time grand slam winner made a surprise comeback to tennis earlier this summer after more than a year out of the sport.
Williams showed her tennis prowess after beating fellow American Peyton Stearns in the first round at the Washington Open.
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It will be Williams’ 25th appearance at the New York major, 25 years after she first won it in 2000.
She is also on the entry list for the new-look mixed doubles event alongside another American, Reilly Opelka.
Williams’ sister Serena, who won six US Opens among her 23 grand slam titles, retired after the tournament in 2022.
The US Open begins later this month.