Williams gets US Open wildcard at 45

Venus Williams is set to become the oldest US Open singles player in 44 years after being given a wildcard for Flushing Meadows

The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, 45, returned to the sport in July, winning her first-round match at the Washington Open on her first appearance in 16 months, before going out in round two.

Victory over fellow American Peyton Stearns meant Williams become the oldest player to win a WTA Tour singles match in more than 21 years.

Now the former world number one will appear once again at Flushing Meadows in New York, where she won two of her Grand Slam titles, in 2000 and 2001.

Williams is set to become the oldest player to compete in singles at the US Open since 47-year-old Renee Richards in 1981.

It will be 577th-ranked Williams’ first appearance at one of the sport’s four majors since the 2023 US Open, where she lost in the first round.

Williams will also play in the revamped mixed doubles alongside fellow American Reilly Opelka.