Venus Williams is officially returning for the 2026 season after signing up to return to the ASB Classic in Auckland the week before the Australian Open.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion, who was out of action for 16 months, made a comeback to tennis in late July when she accepted a wildcard for Washington. The 45-year-old former world No. 1 also competed in Cincinnati and the US Open before capping off her 2025 season.
After losing to Karolina Muchova in three sets in the US Open first round, Williams hinted she would continue her career but also indicated that her focus would be on playing tournaments on her home soil. But now that the American tennis icon has agreed to come to Auckland, it is logical to think that she is also planning to play at the Australian Open.
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Auckland tournament director on Williams: She is back in remarkable shape and form
"She is one of the great players in the modern era and her performances on the court speak for themselves. Off the court she has made an equally significant contribution to the game and to the development of female players world-wide. Venus has had a profound influence on the evolution of women's tennis and has inspired the next generation with her unshakeable passion for the sport. Venus is back in remarkable shape and form," Auckland tournament director Nicolas Lamperin said in a statement.
When the ASB Classic kicks off on January 5th, Williams will make her seventh appearance at the tournament. In her Auckland debut in 2014, the American fell just short of winning the title after losing to Ana Ivanovic in the final. However, the following year, the former world No. 1 returned to the tournament and claimed the main glory after beating Caroline Wozniacki in the title match. In her next four appearances, she only once made the quarterfinal.
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Williams played in Auckland the last time in 2023 when she lost to Zhu Lin in the round-of-16.
