Venus Williams is 45. Honestly, let that sink in for a second. In a sport where most pros are "retired" by their early thirties—trading their rackets for commentary booths or pickleball paddles—Venus is currently packing her bags for another Australian Open. It’s wild. People keep looking for a retirement announcement, but she just keeps showing up.
She was born on June 17, 1980. That makes her a Gemini, if you’re into that sort of thing, but more importantly, it makes her a professional athlete who has been competing at the highest level for over 30 years. Her pro debut was in 1994. Think about that. Some of the girls she’s playing against today weren’t even born when she was already winning Grand Slams and changing the way the world looked at Black women in tennis.
Why the Age of Venus Williams Matters Right Now
We’re in 2026. This year, the age of Venus Williams became a massive talking point again because she’s officially breaking records just by stepping onto the court. By entering the 2026 Australian Open main draw, she becomes the oldest woman to ever compete in that tournament. She took that record from Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she played her last one back in 2015.
It’s not just a "participation trophy" situation either. She’s still out here grinding. Just last year, she had a pretty deep run in the US Open doubles with Leylah Fernandez, making it all the way to the quarter-finals. People were losing their minds in New York. You’ve got a 45-year-old and a 23-year-old taking down seeded teams. It sorta proves that while the body might slow down a tiny bit, the tennis IQ never does.
The Health Battle Nobody Talks About
A lot of fans assume she’s just "old" and that’s why she’s had some tough losses lately. But if you’ve been following closely, you know it’s way more complicated. For years, she dealt with Sjogren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that causes massive fatigue. Then, more recently, she opened up about a brutal battle with fibroids.
She actually had surgery about a year ago to remove them after being misdiagnosed for ages.
"I remember after my surgery, I was feeling so much gratitude," she said recently.
She’s basically playing with a new lease on life now. She’s healthy. She’s got a clean bill of health for the first time in what feels like forever. That’s probably why she isn't ready to quit. When you finally feel good, why would you stop?
Defying the "Old" Narrative in 2026
Venus is currently ranked outside the top 500, which leads some critics to say she should hang it up. But honestly? Who cares about the ranking? She’s a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion. She’s won four Olympic gold medals. At this point, she’s playing because she loves the smell of the eucalyptus in Hobart and the sound of the ball hitting the strings.
She recently married Andrea Preti in late 2025. Some thought she’d settle into "married life" and leave the tour. Instead, she’s out here playing tournaments in Auckland and Hobart to get ready for Melbourne.
- She debuted in 1994 (32 years ago!).
- She’s won 49 career singles titles.
- She’s the oldest active player with a WTA ranking.
Most people don’t realize how hard it is to maintain that level of fitness at 45. Tennis is a sport of lateral movements and explosive power. Her 6'1" frame has taken a lot of mileage, yet she’s still hitting serves that would make a college player jealous.
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The Real Legacy Beyond the Numbers
The age of Venus Williams is a testament to her being a "student of the game," as she calls herself. She’s not just a power hitter anymore; she’s had to adapt. She’s seen the game transition from the era of Martina Hingis to the era of Coco Gauff.
Speaking of Coco, they might actually meet in the second round of the Australian Open this year. It would be a full-circle moment. Coco famously beat Venus at Wimbledon when she was just 15. Now Coco is a Grand Slam champion herself, and Venus is still the one she has to get through. It’s like a movie script.
What’s Next for Queen Vee?
She’s made it very clear that she doesn’t care about the speculation. Every time a reporter asks if this is her "farewell tour," she shuts it down. She’s focused on the match in front of her.
If you’re looking for a lesson in longevity, look at Venus. She’s managed to balance a fashion line (EleVen), an interior design firm, a recent marriage, and a professional tennis career. She isn't just a tennis player; she’s a business mogul who happens to still be one of the best in the world at hitting a yellow ball.
Actionable Insights for Following Her 2026 Season:
- Watch the Australian Open Schedule: Check the order of play for the first round in Melbourne. Her matches are almost always scheduled on the show courts (Rod Laver or Margaret Court Arena) because of her legendary status.
- Monitor the Doubles Draws: Venus is increasingly dangerous in doubles. If she pairs up with someone like Fernandez again, or even a surprise partner, those are the matches where her experience really shines.
- Ignore the Ranking: Don't get caught up in the triple-digit ranking. In tennis, a wildcard entrant with seven Slams is always a threat, regardless of what the computer says.
- Follow her Advocacy: She’s still a huge voice for equal pay and women’s health. Following her off-court work gives you a better picture of why she stays so motivated at 45.
Venus Williams is proving that "retirement age" is a suggestion, not a rule. Whether she wins another trophy or loses in the first round, she has already won the battle against time.