Venus Williams is excited to head to the Australian Open for the first time in five years after going down to a fellow veteran in the opening round in Hobart.
The 45-year-old, who also has a wildcard for the grand slam which begins on Sunday, was outpointed 6-4 6-3 by 38-year-old German sixth seed Tatjana Maria.
It was the highest combined age of a singles match in the history of the WTA.
In front of a packed main court crowd, seven-time major winner Williams had her moments and broke serve to level in the second set before Maria closed it out.
"The crowd was amazing. Usually I play a really big game and it's fun to watch," Williams said.
"I felt I couldn't play that with the wind. I felt bad I wasn't able to give that performance I usually give.
"I was in control until I wasn't ... I just need to keep going and doing that and earn my stripes. I've been away a while."
Williams will become the oldest woman in the main draw of the Australian Open, breaking a mark set by 44-year-old Kimiko Date in 2015.
She has battled injury and health problems in recent years with her ranking sitting at 576.
She last played at Melbourne Park in 2021 and made the final in 2003 and 2017, losing to sister Serena both times.
"So exciting. I can't wait (to return). I'll take what I need to learn from this and keep going," Williams said.
Maria said she tried to focus on her own game and not who was standing on the other side of the net.
"Everybody loves Venus. Me too. That's why I knew I had to ... play every point as best I can," she said.
Maria, who has two children and has won three of her four titles since becoming a mother, hoped the pair could send a message to younger players.
"For all the little girls out there ... that they have time and can improve and play (for) longer," she said.
"I'm a professional tennis player but I'm also a mum and we have a normal life.
"There is school and changing diapers. It makes me super proud to be able to do both."
Earlier on Tuesday, dual grand slam winner Barbora Krejcikova's Australian Open preparations hit a bump when she suffered a knee injury flare-up in a first-round loss.
The world No.55, who spent several months of 2025 off the tour with a knee problem, lost 6-4 1-6 7-6 (7-4) to No.67 American Peyton Stearns.
Krejcikova had a medical timeout for treatment on her knee at the end of the first set after pulling up sore but played on.
The 30-year-old, who won the French Open in 2021 and Wimbledon in 2024, missed last year's Australian Open with a back injury.
She didn't answer questions about her knee post-game but said she was looking forward to Melbourne.
"I think I've played the most matches I've ever played at the beginning of a year. So I'm really happy with that," she said.
In other round one results, Australian wildcard Talia Gibson went down to the higher-ranked Wang Xinyu 6-2 6-3 in 74 minutes.
