The U.S. Tennis Association has granted Venus Williams a wild-card entry into the women’s singles draw at this year’s U.S. Open, clearing the 45-year-old American for her 25th main-draw appearance at Flushing Meadows. Williams, a two-time champion in New York (2000, 2001) and owner of seven major singles titles, will become the oldest singles competitor at the tournament since 47-year-old Renée Richards in 1981. Singles play begins on Aug. 24. The elder Williams returned to the WTA Tour last month after a 16-month lay-off, defeating Peyton Stearns at the DC Open to record the oldest tour-level singles victory by a woman since 2004. She also accepted a wild card for Cincinnati, where she fell in the opening round. In addition to singles, Williams is entered in the U.S. Open’s new-format mixed-doubles event on Aug. 19-20 alongside fellow American Reilly Opelka.