The match between Venus Williams and Tatjana Maria at Hobart International (Australia) went down in WTA history when it became the match with the largest total age since this system was born in 1973. The two players combined 83 years old - a rare number in top tennis.
Despite stopping right in the first round with a 4-6, 3-6 defeat, Venus still left a mark when holding out in 87 minutes against the opponent ranked 42nd in the world. The American player successfully saved 6 out of 9 break points, showing that her physical foundation and fighting spirit are still admirable, despite the current ranking falling outside the top 500.
For Tatjana Maria, winning against a legend like Venus Williams has a special meaning. The German tennis player revealed that her two daughters - one 12 years old and one 4 years old - both cheered for Venus in the stands. "My daughters are fans of Venus. Even me," Maria shared, showing the timeless influence of the former world number one.
In the opposite direction, Venus Williams is still continuing the rare journey of a female tennis player at the age of 45. Despite losing consecutively in warm-up tournaments, she will still be present at the Australian Open 2026 thanks to a special slot, becoming the oldest tennis player to ever participate in a Grand Slam in Melbourne.
The owner of 7 Grand Slam titles said that what keeps her in tennis is not achievement, but the feeling of being competitive. “I still practice regularly, move stably and launch satisfactory shots. My goal is to fight in every match,” Venus affirmed.
At a time when many colleagues have retired, Venus Williams' presence is not only a story of age, but also a testament to her enduring sportsmanship.
