She’s ranked 1007 and won one set this year, but Williams nabs Aus Open wildcard

There will be a Williams sister at Melbourne Park in January.

Venus Williams has scored a main draw wildcard into the Australian Open in a somewhat surprising development after she played only four singles matches this year – and won just one set.

The Age has confirmed the 42-year-old American’s wildcard is separate from the annual reciprocal arrangement Tennis Australia has with the United States Tennis Association.

Venus Williams has been seen off court more than on it in recent times.Credit: AP

Eight men and eight women will receive wildcards into the Australian Open singles draws, with the Williams decision potentially leaving one less than the usual five for an up-and-coming Australian.

The tennis legend, who took an extended break from the sport at the start of this year, remains a drawcard – the clear appeal for tournament director Craig Tiley – and was runner-up at the Melbourne grand slam in 2003 and 2017.

There was speculation Williams, a seven-time grand slam champion, would receive a wildcard into the 2022 Australian Open, but she decided not to play.

The sole grand slam she did compete at was the US Open, where superstar sibling Serena Williams played what was likely her farewell tournament, although she has since left the door ajar for a comeback.

Serena said before the US Open that she was “evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me”.

The sisters also played doubles together and after their first-round defeat Venus Williams said, “I think I’m retired from doubles now” but indicated her singles career was not over.

“Watch out for next year,” she wrote on Instagram in late August.

The Australian Open, which starts on January 16, will be 1007th-ranked Williams’ 22nd trip to Melbourne Park, and she boasts a 54-21 record at the event after making her debut in 1998.

“I am very excited to be returning to Melbourne to compete at the Australian Open in January,” Williams said.

“I’ve been competing in the country for over 20 years now and the Australian community has always supported me wholeheartedly.

“It will be an honour to play for the fans again, and I’m looking forward to making more memories at the tournament.”

Tiley said in a statement he was “delighted” to welcome Williams back.

“Venus is not just an incredible player and fan favourite; she’s a great role model and leader in our sport in so many ways,” Tiley said.

Williams joins a strong women’s field that includes 12 major champions and an unusually high main draw entry ranking cut-off of No.95.

There is now a strong likelihood there will be only four wildcards given to Australian women, with Storm Sanders, Priscilla Hon, Jaimee Fourlis, Kim Birrell, Maddison Inglis and Olivia Gadecki the best chances.

Rafter hopes for Barty comeback; careful not to reignite Kyrgios feud

Australian tennis great Pat Rafter continues to hold faint hope of a second Ash Barty comeback despite conceding the former world No.1 has “no desire” to return.

Rafter was at the Brisbane arena named in his honour on Monday to help promote the inaugural United Cup, and the sport’s two biggest names in Australia – Nick Kyrgios and the retired Barty – were on the menu.

Kyrgios and Rafter have a famously frosty relationship that spilled onto social media three years ago, when the former hit back at the dual US Open champion’s query on why he hadn’t been suspended yet.

Nick Kyrgios and Pat Rafter have a fractured relationship dating to Rafter’s time as Australia’s Davis Cup captain.Credit: The Age

“Probably because everywhere I play the stadiums are sold out, and the event makes money with me around?” Kyrgios tweeted at the time.

“Not surprised Rafter has commented on this topic. Guy loves hanging fellow Aussies out to dry. Enjoy staying relevant champ.”

One of the reasons Rafter quit as Davis Cup captain after the 2015 Australian Open was because of the challenges of managing Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic.

But he was careful not to poke the bear this time, even as the topic arose of Kyrgios skipping Davis Cup duties despite Lleyton Hewitt’s and Alex de Minaur’s best efforts.

Kyrgios will play for Australia at the United Cup, where Hewitt and Sam Stosur will serve as co-captains.

“He will have to work out how he goes about all that. I don’t really know what goes on with him,” Rafter said.

Ash Barty is happily in retirement.Credit: Eddie Jim

“I sit back and have a look at it and see what comes out and have a bit of a laugh. Because I’m not involved in it and don’t need to be; I really enjoy sitting back now and not having to say or do anything.

“I know representing my country was my highlight. Obviously, you have got Lleyton there running the show, and all our generation wanted to be there and play it. We loved it. Some people don’t like doing it.”

Rafter was unwilling to predict what sort of run Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios might have at Melbourne Park, saying only: “Who knows? The talent is there, we’ve always known it – it’s up to him.”

He was more giving when it came to Barty, the one player’s matches he “always turned on to watch”.

“I’m going to miss her ... but it’s been a year without Ash nearly, so I’m slowly getting over it,” Rafter said.

“There’s certainly no desire for her to come back to tennis, although we all sort of secretly hope she will – just come back for a little bit, anyway.

“She loves tennis, she’s still involved, she’s passionate about it, but playing on the court is different. You’ve got that extra pressure and expectation and all the things that go with it, and it’s not easy.”