Olga Danilovic staged a dramatic comeback to defeat 45-year-old Venus Williams 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the 2026 Australian Open on January 18. The 24-year-old Serbian, ranked around No. 67, rallied from a 4-0 deficit in the deciding set to end Williams' historic return. Williams, the oldest player ever to compete in the tournament's main draw, impressed fans with flashes of her vintage form.
Venus Williams made a poignant return to the Australian Open, accepting a wildcard for the first time since 2021 and becoming the oldest woman to compete in the main draw at 45, surpassing Kimiko Date's record from 2015. Facing Olga Danilovic in Melbourne on Sunday night, Williams started strongly, capturing the first set in a tense tiebreak 7-6(5) with a fierce forehand winner. The American, ranked No. 576, broke Danilovic early and controlled rallies with her powerful serve, earning a standing ovation from the crowd.
Danilovic, however, leveled the match by taking the second set 6-3, improving her returns and moving Williams around the court. The decider turned dramatic as Williams surged to a 4-0 lead, appearing poised for her first Grand Slam singles win since 2021. But Danilovic mounted an improbable comeback, winning six straight games. The turning point was a 15-minute game at 4-4, where Williams saved seven game points before Danilovic broke through and held to win 6-4.
"Just play point by point," Danilovic said in her on-court interview, crediting her mental composure. "Move your legs, move your hands. That’s the only thing I was saying to myself." Post-match, she expressed joy at facing a legend: "It was such a pleasure playing against such a legend."
Williams exited smiling, remaining in the doubles draw with Ekaterina Alexandrova. Frances Tiafoe praised her resilience after his own win, saying, "At 45, she’s grinding these girls. It’s inspiring." Fans echoed this, tweeting admiration for her perseverance, with one noting, "Venus at 45, playing at this level is insane!"
Danilovic advances to face the winner of Coco Gauff versus Kamilla Rakhimova. Williams, who debuted at the Australian Open in 1998—before Danilovic was born—has yet to win a singles title here but holds four doubles crowns with sister Serena.
