Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams made a historic return to the Australian Open but faced a first-round loss to Serbia’s Olga Danilovic in a close match at the John Cain Arena in Melbourne. At 45 years old, Williams became the oldest player to compete in the Australian Open in the Open Era, receiving strong support from the Melbourne crowd. Despite showcasing glimpses of her powerful game, Williams couldn’t maintain momentum over three sets against her 24-year-old opponent.
In a closely contested match, Williams took the first set narrowly, but Danilovic displayed more consistency from the baseline in the following sets. The Serbian player remained composed in the final set, breaking Williams at crucial junctures to secure victory after a little over two hours of play. Williams, despite her loss, impressed with nine aces and a 71 percent success rate on first-serve points, although her five double faults proved costly.
Danilovic capitalized on Williams’ second serves, winning 73 percent of those points and converting five out of eight break-point opportunities. With 104 points won compared to Williams’ 92, Danilovic advanced to the second round, while Williams bid farewell to the tournament after a memorable appearance that added another remarkable chapter to her illustrious career.
After the match, Danilovic expressed her respect for Williams, acknowledging the challenge of facing such a legendary player. In her on-court interview, Danilovic emphasized the significance of cherishing moments like these and the nerves that come with playing against a tennis icon like Venus Williams.
It was a significant return for Williams to Melbourne Park after her last appearance in 2021 and her first competition outside the United States since 2023. Despite her seven Grand Slam singles titles, none have been won in Melbourne, with Venus reaching the final in 2003 and 2017, both times losing to her sister, 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams.
