In the 2026 season, Venus Williams, the famous tennis player from the USA, started at the tournament in Hobart. Despite being the favorite in the stands, the 45-year-old athlete lost in the first round to German Tatjana Maria with a score of 4:6, 3:6.
This match became significant for world tennis, as the total age of the players was 83 years — a record for WTA singles matches. The seven-time Grand Slam champion, who is currently ranked 576th in the world, started the match energetically, immediately breaking her opponent's serve. However, the 38-year-old Maria responded with a double break in the first set and maintained her advantage in the second, securing her victory.
The tournament in Hobart was an important stage in Venus's preparation for the Australian Open, where she received a special invitation (wild card). This start in Melbourne will be historic for the tennis player:
She will return to the Australian courts after a five-year break.
Thus, she will set a new record, becoming the oldest participant in the main draw of the tournament, breaking the previous achievement of Japanese player Kimiko Date, who played in Melbourne in 2015 at the age of 44.
The tournament in Hobart also brought other surprises. Among those eliminated was two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova, who lost in a tense match to American Peyton Stearns with a score of 4:6, 6:1, 6:7 (4).
