Just days ago, at 45, Venus Williams became the oldest woman to contest singles at the Australian Open in the Open Era. While her first-round exit was met with pride, hopes shifted to doubles redemption. But those hopes didn’t quite pan out either.

Instead, the tennis icon endured another defeat, bringing her Melbourne campaign to a close. Williams and Ekaterina Alexandrova exited the women’s doubles in the first round on Tuesday, beaten by France’s Elsa Jacquemot and Colombia’s Emiliana Arango in straight sets.

The opening set was closely contested and featured long rallies and momentum shifts. But while Williams and Alexandrova pushed hard, Jacquemot and Arango held firm and edged it in a tiebreak, winning 7-6 (3).

By the second set, Jacquemot and Arango had victory firmly in their grasp as they gained early control and stayed composed throughout. Despite facing some strong resistance, they closed out a 6-4 win to reach the next round.

Williams entered the Australian Open carrying history with her. She surpassed Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she exited in the first round in 2015, to set a new age benchmark.

However, her record-breaking appearance did not end in victory in either discipline as Williams surrendered a 4-0 lead in the deciding set of her singles match and was beaten by Olga Danilovic.

The age contrast was striking. Williams was 17 when she made her Australian Open debut in 1998, three years before Danilovic was born.

Williams had returned to the WTA Tour in July 2025 at the Washington Open after more than a year away. She defeated fellow American Peyton Stearns in her opening match. But since then, wins have been scarce. She has lost her next six matches at the tour level.

That stretch includes first-round defeats at the US Open and the Australian Open after receiving wildcards, as well as a doubles loss. Though Williams showed flashes of her old self in both tournaments, she fell in the deciding sets. 

She now heads home, with her work cut out for her as the season marches onward.

Pat Cash shares his thoughts on Venus’ potential Wimbledon wildcard

During Venus Williams’s singles match, the crowd was energetic and loud after the first set. The atmosphere lifted the stadium and pushed the match into a higher intensity.

However, Serbia’s Olga Danilovic, ranked 69th in the world, responded strongly. She dominated the second set and won it in just 30 minutes, shifting momentum completely.

Williams then appeared close to a breakthrough. She went a double break ahead in the deciding set and looked on course for her first Grand Slam singles win since Wimbledon 2021.

That chance slipped away quickly. Williams lost the next six games in a row, allowing Danilovic to close out the match.

Despite the loss, the moment was emotional. Williams received a standing ovation as she walked off the John Cain Arena. She later said she felt “lifted up by the energy from the crowd” at the start of the match.

Reflecting on the outcome, Williams accepted the reality of competition. “That’s just the sport, and that’s how it works sometimes,” she added.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s daily podcast from the Australian Open, former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash shared his perspective. He said Williams should be considered for future wildcards, including Wimbledon, but only if results justify it.

“Venus hasn’t played a lot of tennis, she’s won something like three matches in three years,” said Cash. He added that many believe wildcards should favor youth and stressed Wimbledon should not offer one simply because of her name, saying, “I think she’s got to prove herself.”

With her Australian Open campaign now over, the focus shifts ahead. Do you think Venus Williams will push for another Grand Slam entry at Wimbledon? Share your thoughts below.