Venus Williams will always be the star. The 45-year-old legend arrived at the Australian Open as the oldest player the tournament has ever seen, entering with a wildcard. After her 16-month hiatus ended at last year’s US Open with a first-round exit, she’s been searching for a spark to turn the tide. This was her first time back since 2021. The comeback didn’t unfold as planned, but her star power still shone bright.

On Sunday, the seven-time Grand Slam champion rolled back the years and nearly delivered one of the decade’s biggest shocks. Facing 21-year-old Olga Danilovic, Venus stormed ahead 4-0 in the deciding set. For a moment, it looked like a vintage Venus comeback in full flight. But momentum flipped fast as Danilovic roared back to snatch a 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 win. The 45-year-old American fell short, but the fans were still elated by her form.

“VINTAGE VENUS WILLIAMS TO TAKE THE FIRST SET!” tweeted tennis journalist Bastien Fachan.

That first set had everything. The left-handed Serbian, ranked No. 68, clawed back at the perfect time, saving a set point in the 10th game to force a tiebreak. She fought off two more before Venus sealed it with a fierce forehand winner down the line. For a brief, electric moment, it felt like the magic was back.

At just 17, she made her Australian Open debut in 1998, storming into the quarterfinals in only her fourth Grand Slam appearance, fresh from an impressive run to the U.S. Open final. Still, Venus Williams is yet to claim a title here.

She has been a finalist in 2003 and 2017, and clinched four doubles crowns with Serena Williams (2001,2003, 2009, 2010). So this time, despite not winning a title since the 2016 Kaohsiung and a Grand Slam since the 2008 Wimbledon.

But seeing her back in form at the Australian Open, even for a set, left fans happy.

Fans rave over Venus Williams’ return to Rod Laver Arena

During a fiery first set, the American legend lit up the court and lit up social media. Fans loved what they were seeing and one supporter rushed online to celebrate her early surge and her win of the opener with some very loud approval from behind their screen.

“Venus Williams won a set! Here’s to all the naysayers that question her WCs #AusOpen”

The atmosphere inside the arena felt just as electric. After receiving a standing ovation, the former world number one, now ranked 576, came out swinging and broke 69th-ranked Olga Danilovic in her very first service game. It was a statement start and it set the tone for the drama that followed.

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The final set felt like a snapshot of Williams’ entire career, packed with grit, momentum swings, and wild twists. She raced ahead 4-0 and suddenly it looked like she might grab her first Grand Slam singles win since Wimbledon 2021 and become the oldest woman ever to win a match at the Australian Open.

The crowd clearly sensed history brewing and rode every point with her. Williams leaned on that trademark serve and her bold, aggressive groundstrokes to control the rallies early in the decider, and the noise in the stadium only grew as she kept firing.

“F*** yes!! Venus Williams showing us a serving clinic!!”

Fans could not get enough of what they were seeing from a 45-year-old still mixing it with the very best. One admirer summed it up neatly, blown away by the level she brought just to step on court in Melbourne.

“Venus at 45, playing at this level is insane!”

Her presence alone is a record in itself. Williams only found out she would be the oldest player ever to compete in the Australian Open women’s singles draw after she had already accepted her wild card for her first appearance at the year’s opening major in five years. She admitted that little piece of trivia had not crossed her mind at all until it hit the headlines.

“I hadn’t thought about it until it came out in the press,” she said Saturday in closing her pre-tournament news conference. “So yay. Yay for me! Let’s do this.”

Her performance in this match clearly unlocked something emotional for fans too. Watching her dig in, fight, and still bring the fire, one supporter could not resist putting their admiration into words and sharing exactly what she still means to the sport right now.

“They wrote, “Venus Williams continues to inspire many with her incredible perseverance and dedication to the sport. Her legacy in tennis is unmatched, and it’s exciting to see what she’ll achieve next! #VenusWilliams””

And that is the big question hanging in the air. What comes next for Venus after a start like this in 2026? Will she chase more moments like these as the season unfolds? The year is only just getting going, so there is plenty of time for more surprises. Share your thoughts in the comments below!