For the first time since 2021, Venus Williams accepted a wildcard into the 2026 Australian Open, returning to Melbourne while once again rewriting the record books. At 45, she became the oldest woman to compete there since Japan’s Kimiko Date did it at 44 back in 2015. But the fairytale comeback ended in heartbreak.

Olga Danilovic, her 24-year-old opponent stormed back from 4-0 down in the deciding set to stun the American legend 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday, January 18, knocking Williams out in the first round.

“Playing against Venus Williams is something that I cannot take for granted, but there was a lot of nerves. I mean, on 4-0, I said to myself, ‘Just play, just take everything out and just play point by point.’ And yeah, I’m very happy I managed to get this one, but it was such a pleasure playing against such a legend,” Danilovic said in her on-court interview.

Williams, the crowd favorite, came out firing, winning the opening point and leaning on a serve that still troubles even the game’s next generation. She controlled the early rallies, and as the first set tightened and the tension rose, it was Williams who edged it in a tiebreak, 7-6(5).

But Danilovic, ranked No. 69 in the world and more than 20 years younger, wasn’t going anywhere.

Danilovic found her rhythm in the second set and began to swing more freely. She started returning better, moved Williams around the court, and took the set 6-3 to level the match and shift the momentum.

The decider brought the most dramatic stretch of the night. Williams surged out to a 4-0 lead, looking ready to seal the win. But Danilovic dug deep, steadied herself, and slowly worked her way back into the contest, game by game.

The real turning point came in a marathon 15-minute game at 4-4. Williams had seven game points but couldn’t convert, and Danilovic finally broke through. Moments later, she held serve at 5-4, completing a stunning comeback to close out the final set 6-4.

“Move your legs, move your hands. That’s the only thing I was saying to myself. She was serving incredible, honestly. I mean, of course we all know, but in these important moments, she was serving so good. So, I mean, I couldn’t do anything. You know, if she’s going to play like that, I give the hand and that’s it. So, I tried to keep myself calm and it worked,” Danilovic said afterwards.

She will next face either American third seed Coco Gauff or Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova. Williams, meanwhile, left the court smiling and remains in the doubles draw with Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Danilovic wasn’t even born when Williams made her Australian Open main-draw debut back in 1998. And now, fellow American Frances Tiafoe has shared his thoughts on the icon continuing to compete at Grand Slams in her forties.

Frances Tiafoe praises Olga Danilovic’s opponent’s inspiring return

While some people have questioned whether Venus Williams should still be receiving Grand Slam wild cards, Frances Tiafoe made it clear he loves seeing the American icon continue to compete. Speaking after his win over Jason Kubler, the world No. 34 didn’t hold back in his support.

“She wants to go out, she goes on her own terms. Whenever that is, it doesn’t matter. She packs arenas. Venus Williams, she wants to go play, great. And she’s playing,” Tiafoe said. He pointed out that she’s still out there competing, beating Peyton Stearns in D.C. and pushing top players like Karolina Muchova.

“At 45, she’s grinding these girls. It’s not like she’s out here getting snips,” he added.

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Tiafoe also brushed aside the criticism with a simple question: “Why not?” He spoke about her enjoying life, traveling with her husband, and still choosing to compete. “She ain’t missing nothing. She’s got cheese. So, I mean, who cares? If you want to do it, go do it. Hats off to her, man. It’s inspiring.”

However, laughing, he later admitted he doesn’t see himself doing the same. “I will not be doing that at 45,” he said. “But you never know. It is inspiring to still see a legend like that come out here and want to do it and want to train and want to still get better.”

He ended by stressing the deep respect he has for Venus and her sister. “Yeah, high-level respect. That respect for me goes back years and years. Words can’t describe what the Williams sisters mean to me.” Now, Venus Williams did play the Brisbane International and the Hobart International, but she has yet to win a singles match this season.