Venus Williams is set to return to Grand Slam tennis at the US Open after a two-year absence, having received a wildcard invitation to compete in singles at Flushing Meadows. The 45-year-old American will be the oldest entrant in singles at the tournament since 47-year-old Renee Richards in 1981, according to the International Tennis Federation. The US Tennis Association had already given Williams a wildcard entry for next week's mixed doubles competition. Singles matches begin in New York on August 25, Australian time. After three years away from the court, Williams made her return to professional tennis at this year's DC Open in Washington. When she defeated Peyton Stearns in Washington, she became the oldest winner of a match on the WTA Tour since Martina Navratilova, who won at age 47 in 2004. Williams lost in the second round of the DC Open, and also played at a tour event in Cincinnati, losing in the first round. She is the owner of seven major singles championships — including at the US Open in 2000 and 2001 — along with another 14 in women's doubles, all won with her younger sister, Serena, plus two in mixed doubles. Serena retired with 23 Slam singles trophies after playing at the 2022 US Open.