If you’re watching the Australian Open this month and wondering how old is tennis player venus williams, you aren't alone. It’s the question on everyone’s lips as the 6-foot-1 powerhouse strides across the blue hardcourts of Melbourne Park.
She's 45.
Let that sink in for a second. In a sport where most professionals are "retired" by 32 and considered "veterans" at 28, Venus Williams is out here competing in her 30th year on the WTA Tour. It’s wild. Most of her opponents weren't even born when she won her first Wimbledon title in 2000.
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The Numbers Behind the Legend: Venus Williams at 45
Born on June 17, 1980, in Lynwood, California, Venus Ebony Starr Williams has spent nearly her entire life under the spotlight. As of early 2026, she is officially 45 years old.
She isn't just "still playing" in some ceremonial way, either. While her ranking has slipped to No. 576 after some injury-plagued seasons, her 2026 schedule is packed. She kicked off the year in Auckland at the ASB Classic, fought through a tough three-setter in Hobart, and accepted a wildcard for the 2026 Australian Open.
By stepping onto the court in Melbourne this year, she officially became the oldest woman to ever compete in the Australian Open main draw. She took that record from Japan’s Kimiko Date, who played there at 44.
Why the Age Conversation is Different for Venus
Most people obsess over how old is tennis player venus williams because they’re looking for signs of slowing down. But with Venus, it’s more about the sheer defiance of biology.
She’s dealing with Sjögren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease she was diagnosed with back in 2011. It causes fatigue and joint pain. Most athletes would have packed it in a decade ago. Venus? She just adjusted her diet, changed her training, and kept going.
Honestly, it's kinda legendary.
Comparing the Generations
To give you some perspective on the age gap, look at her recent match in Auckland against Magda Linette. Linette is a seasoned pro, but she was only two years old when Venus turned professional in 1994.
When Venus played Peyton Stearns in late 2025, she beat a woman 22 years her junior. That win made her the second-oldest woman to ever win a tour-level singles match, trailing only the great Martina Navratilova.
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Life Beyond the Baseline
You might think someone who has been playing for thirty years would be "just a tennis player," but Venus has basically built a business empire while waiting for her next match.
- V Starr Interiors: Her design firm that handles everything from luxury condos to hotel suites.
- EleVen: Her activewear brand that she actually designs herself (she has a degree in fashion design, by the way).
- Deals in Heels: Her new 2026 reality series where she mentors and invests in female entrepreneurs.
She also got married recently! In late 2025, she tied the knot with her partner, Andrea Petri, in two separate ceremonies across the US and Italy. So, while the world focuses on her age on the court, she’s clearly living her best life off of it.
The 2026 Comeback Reality
Let’s be real for a minute: it hasn’t been all trophies and roses lately. Her recent first-round exits in Auckland and Hobart show that the "modern game" is incredibly fast.
Players like Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka hit the ball with a violence that’s hard to absorb when you’re 45. But Venus isn’t playing for the ranking points anymore. She’s playing because she loves the fight.
"I've had so many incredible memories there, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career," Venus told reporters before heading to Melbourne this year.
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What's Next for the Queen of the Court?
If you're following her journey, don't just look at the scoreboard. Look at the movement. In her Hobart match against Tatjana Maria, Venus was still serving aces and hitting lines.
The longevity of Venus Williams is a blueprint for how to manage a career over decades rather than years. She’s transitioned from the dominant force of the early 2000s to the respected stateswoman of 2026.
Whether she wins another Slam or not (and let's be honest, at 45, that's a massive mountain to climb), her presence on the tour changes the math for every young player coming up. She proves that 40 isn't the end—it might just be the middle.
How to Keep Up With Venus in 2026
- Watch the Australian Open wildcards: Keep an eye on the early rounds in Melbourne to see if she can pull off an upset.
- Follow her business moves: Look for her new show Deals in Heels premiering later this year if you're into the Shark Tank style of entrepreneurship.
- Check the 2026 U.S. Open entry list: She has hinted that her main goal this year is to play on home soil again in New York.
The story of Venus Williams isn't a "retirement tour." It's an ongoing masterclass in resilience. Next time you feel "too old" to start something new, just remember there’s a 45-year-old woman out there diving for volleys against world-class athletes half her age.
Actionable Insight: If you're inspired by Venus’s longevity, focus on "pre-hab" rather than rehab. Like Williams, who pivoted her entire lifestyle to manage an autoimmune disorder, success in any field over the long haul requires constant adaptation to your physical and mental limits. Don't fight your age—optimize for it.