Venus Williams has accepted a wildcard for the Auckland Open in January.

Williams only returned to the WTA Tour in August after taking a long break.

The 45-year-old became the second-oldest winner of a WTA Tour-level match when she beat Peyton Stearns at the Washington Open.

And the seven-time major winner looks set to compete in the Australian Open after she was confirmed as a participant in the grand slam's warm-up event in New Zealand.

2 - Since the introduction of the Tier format in 1990, Venus Williams (45y 34d) is only the second player aged 45+ to win a main draw match at WTA level, along with Martina Navratilova (45y 242d). Queen.#MubadalaDCCitiOpen | @mubadalacitidc @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/xDEEHvaXHf

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) July 23, 2025

"She is one of the great players in the modern era and her performances on the court speak for themselves," said Auckland Open tournament director Nicolas Lamperin.

"Off the court she has made an equally significant contribution to the game and to the development of female players worldwide.

"Venus has had a profound influence on the evolution of women's tennis and has inspired the next generation with her unshakeable passion for the sport."

Williams won the Auckland Open in 2015. She has not won the Australian Open, though she did win a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka will also compete in Auckland, having reached the final in 2025.