Venus Williams: Making History as the Oldest Player at the U.S. Open at 45!

Tennis legend Venus Williams is making waves as she prepares for the U.S. Open, set to take place later this month. At 45 years old, she’s about to become the oldest singles player in the tournament in over four decades. The last player to reach this age in singles was Renée Richards in 1981, who was 47.

This marks the 25th time Williams will compete for a singles championship at the Open. She’s been given a wild card, which allows her to enter without needing to qualify.

Despite a rough year, where injuries impacted her game, Williams currently sits at 654th in WTA singles rankings, according to the International Tennis Federation. But the two-time U.S. Open champion isn’t letting that slow her down. In July, she made headlines by defeating Peyton Stearns at the DC Open after a 16-month break, earning the title of the oldest player to win a WTA singles match since 2004.

Tennis is unique; players often continue competing past what’s traditionally considered the peak age. Take Martina Navratilova, who won her last Grand Slam title at 49 in 2006. A study by the U.S. Open shows many players in their 30s and even 40s have claimed titles over the years.

Historically, Molla Bjurstedt Mallory set the bar high in 1926, being the oldest woman to win a singles title at 42. Fast forward to today, and the landscape is still changing. For instance, Italian Flavia Pennetta took home the U.S. Open title at 33 in 2015. Just this year, Novak Djokovic, at 36, became the oldest male winner in the singles division.

Williams holds records not only for herself but also in tandem with her sister, Serena. At 35, Serena became the oldest woman to win her 23rd Grand Slam title in 2017. Both sisters have broken significant age barriers, showcasing the evolving nature of competitive tennis.

This year, Venus is also set to participate in mixed doubles, partnering with 27-year-old Reilly Opelka. As the tournament approaches, fans and the sports community are watching closely, eager to see if Venus can add another remarkable chapter to her storied career.

For more on Venus Williams and her journey, check out the International Tennis Federation profile.

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