Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams will play in January's Auckland Classic at the age of 45, tournament organisers announced Wednesday.

Williams has been awarded a wild card for the Australian Open warm-up event from January 5-11 after only returning to the circuit in August at the US Open after a 16-month break.

"She is one of the great players in the modern era and her performances on the court speak for themselves," said tournament director Nicolas Lamperin, who added that she was in "remarkable shape and form".

"Off the court she has made an equally significant contribution to the game and to the development of female players worldwide," he said.

"Venus has had a profound influence on the evolution of women's tennis and has inspired the next generation with her unshakeab

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