The 45-year-old Williams received a wild-card invitation for the year’s first Grand Slam event. She also had a wild card to participate in Hobart, where she faced sixth-seeded Maria in a match that lasted nearly 1 1/2 hours.
Williams also experienced a first-round loss at the Auckland event in New Zealand last week.
The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, currently ranked 576th in the world, managed to break the serve of 38-year-old Maria in the opening set. However, Williams experienced two service breaks herself, allowing Maria to take the set, as she is ranked 42nd on the WTA list.
Tournament officials noted that this match had the highest combined age — 83 years — of any singles match in WTA history.
“The crowd was fantastic. I usually play a very strong game, and it’s enjoyable to watch,” said Williams. “I felt limited by the wind and couldn’t deliver my usual performance. I was in control until I lost it … I just need to keep progressing and earning my stripes. It’s been a while since I’ve played.”
Maria, who has two children and has secured three of her four titles after becoming a mother, expressed hope that their match could inspire younger players.
“To all the little girls out there … you have time to grow and play longer,” she remarked. “I’m a professional tennis player and also a mother, living a normal life.”
Williams has reached the Australian Open singles final twice — in 2003 and 2017 — falling to her sister Serena on both occasions.
The Australian Open starts on Sunday. Williams has not competed at Melbourne Park for five years and will surpass the age record held by Kimiko Date, the Japanese player who was 44 when she took part in the 2015 Australian Open.
In another first-round match in Hobart, two-time major winner Barbora Krejčíková lost to Peyton Stearns. Krejčíková, ranked 55th and unseeded in Hobart, was defeated by Stearns with scores of 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4).
