Legendary Venus Williams continues competing in the 2026 season.

Though beyond her "peak," Venus Williams' fire for the sport remains undiminished.

American tennis legend Venus Williams will participate in the 2026 Auckland Classic after receiving a wildcard from the organizers. The event starts on January 5th next year and serves as a familiar warm-up tournament for top players before the Australian Open begins on January 18th.

At 45 years old, Venus Williams still demonstrates boundless enthusiasm for tennis. She returned to competition last summer after more than a year away and immediately made a strong impact. At the Washington Open, the veteran player defeated Peyton Stearns, then ranked 35th in the world, becoming the second-oldest female player in history to win a professional-level match. This impressive performance showcased Williams' remarkable resilience and determination, having been connected to the sport for nearly three decades.

At the recent US Open, Venus once again left her mark with a valiant loss against the 11th seed Karolina Muchova in the opening round. Despite her age and entering the tournament on a wildcard, she competed evenly against a much younger and highly skilled opponent, earning respect and admiration from the audience.

Throughout her illustrious career, Venus Williams has won the US Open twice and claimed five Wimbledon titles, where she established her signature aggressive playing style. Although she never won the Australian Open or Roland Garros, she reached a total of 10 Grand Slam finals, including seven battles against her legendary sister Serena Williams, creating one of the most memorable chapters in tennis history.

"Venus has profoundly influenced the growth of women's tennis and inspired the next generation with her unwavering passion for the sport. All fans should cherish the chance to witness one of the greatest legends compete.", said Nicolas Lamperin, director of the Auckland Classic tournament.

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