By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Photo credit: Corleve/Mark Peterson
Venus Williams is taking her game to Auckland.
The 45-year-old Williams has accepted a wild card to play the ASB Classic in Auckland, set for January 5-11th, tournament organizers announced today.
In Auckland, Venus will play her first match outside of North American soil since she lost to Elina Svitolina in the 2023 Wimbledon first round.
“Legend status, the one and only, the game-changer, the all-time great Venus Williams will return for the ASB Classic26,” tournament organizers announced on social media today.
Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus will return to Auckland a decade after she defeated Caroline Wozniacki to capture the 2015 Auckland crown and 26 years after she swept gold medals in singles and doubles at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympic Games.
Venus Williams fell to 13th-ranked Karolina Muchova in three sets in the 2025 US Open first round and partnered Leylah Fernandez to advance to the US Open doubles quarterfinals.
Overall, Williams went 1-3 in singles matches in 2025, defeating Peyton Stearns in her comeback match at the Mubadala Citi Open in Washington, DC.