Venus Williams, 45, gets wild card to play first Australian Open in five years

• Williams to return to Melbourne Park at age 45

• Seven-time major champion earns wild-card entry

• Set to become oldest woman in Open main draw

Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams has received a wild-card entry for the Australian Open beginning 18 January in Melbourne.

The tournament said Friday that the 45-year-old Williams would make a return to Melbourne Park 28 years after her first appearance. In 1998, she defeated her younger sister Serena in the second round before losing in the quarter-finals to fellow American Lindsay Davenport.