Venus handed Melbourne wild card

Venus Williams will make her 22nd Melbourne appearance after being handed a wild card entry on Monday.

The 42-year-old who has not played since a US Open first round loss three months ago, ranked 1,007th in the world and had appeared unlikely to be taking another place in a Grand Slam.

Williams reached finals at Melbourne Park in 2003 and 2017 but has lost in the opening round at three of the previous six editions.

Neither Venus nor her 41-year-old sister Serena competed at the event last January.

 “I’ve been competing in the country for over 20 years now and the Australian community has always supported me wholeheartedly,” Williams said in a statement.

“It will be an honour to play for the fans again and I’m looking forward to making more memories at the tournament this year.”

The player holds a 54-21 record at the major and has played nine quarter-finals here,

Williams will be ring-rusty after playing and losing only four singles matches during the entire 2022 season.

Main photo:- Venus Williams losing in first round match Australian Open 2020 by Anne Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd