Venus Williams is gearing up for yet another return to tennis after receiving a wild card for the ASB Classic and the Australian Open.
The tennis icon returned to tennis sporadically during 2025 for the first time in 16 months, where she played the US Open and the Washington Open.
Williams will team with Elina Svitolina in doubles, and she is set for a first round singles match against Magda Linette in Auckland.
Ahead of her return to competitive tennis, Williams has revealed what she wants to achieve with her latest run.
Venus Williams is still ‘feeling the fire’ for tennis
Williams is relishing the chance to take on some of the WTA Tour’s best in Auckland and at the Australian Open.
Speaking ahead of her foray into singles and doubles in Auckland, the multi-time Grand Slam champion revealed: “I think one of my goals is to be joyful and just embrace being uncomfortable because that’s the things champions can do.
Do you think women should play best-of-five set matches?
“I definitely don’t wake up and come halfway across the world, or more than halfway, to not be feeling the fire.
“And, well, tennis burns a lot of calories. It gives you great legs. I figure if I want to stay fit, I’ve got to keep playing.
“It’s interesting because I have so much experience, but I’ve probably played the least amount as any other player in this draw.
“So I have a lot to pull out but I also have to come out of the gates playing quickly. The good news is that, you know, tennis matches are long and you have a chance to figure things out.”
Williams has been drawn in the same half of the draw as Alexandra Eala, Sloane Stephens, and Emma Navarro.
What happened the last time Venus Williams was given a wild card for the ASB Classic
Williams has not played the ASB Classic since 2023, when she was also awarded a wild card for the New Zealand event.
The star defeated her compatriot Katie Volynets in straight sets to set up a tie with Zhu Lin in the second round.
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Zhu Lin managed to defeat Williams in three sets, with a narrow 7-5 victory in the decider knocking the American out of the tournament.
Williams would have set up a third match ever with Coco Gauff with a win, following their matches at Wimbledon in 2019 and the Australian Open in 2020.
Gauff won the title at the 2023 ASB Classic after defeating Rebeka Masarova, Danka Kovinić, and Zhu Lin to lift the trophy.
