Seven-time major singles champion Venus Williams said on Sunday that she is still ‘feeling the fire’ to play tennis as she prepares for an Australian Open tilt at the age of 45.

Williams will become the oldest woman to play in the main draw at the season-opening Grand Slam after accepting a wildcard, five years after she last competed in Melbourne. “I definitely don’t wake up and come halfway across the world to not be feeling the fire,” said Venus, who last played at the US Open in August.