VENUS WILLIAMS will play in a Grand Slam for the first time in two years after being handed a US Open wildcard.

World No577 Williams was given a spot in the main draw of her home Major at the age of 45.

It means she is set to feature in a record-extending 25th US Open singles tournament which gets underway on August 24.

And the veteran remains on course to be the oldest singles star to take to the court at Flushing Meadows for 44 years.

In 1981, Renee Richards played at the age of 47.

Many expected Williams to retire from tennis this year, having not competed between March 2024 and July 2025 due to health struggles - she needed surgery to remove fibroids from her uterus a year ago.

Her last win was way back at the Cincinnati Open in August 2023.

However, she accepted a wildcard for

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