Venus Williams returned sporadically to the WTA Tour throughout the season at the age of 45.
The tennis icon played three tournaments in 2025 at the Washington Open, the Cincinnati Open, and the US Open.
Williams beat Peyton Stearns in Washington, but lost in the opening round of the US Open to Karolina Muchova.
The star ended her season by playing an exhibition match against Madison Keys, and she has explained why she continues to play tennis in her forties.
Venus Williams explains why she’s still playing tennis
Williams was swept aside in straight sets by Keys at the Charlotte Invitational, but she still looked classy on the court.
The American will play the ASB Classic in January, with rumours that she could return to the Australian Open at the end of the month.
Speaking on court to The Tennis Channel after her match with Keys, Williams explained exactly why she continues to play tennis.
Do you think women should play best-of-five set matches?
Williams said: “I just love the game. I’m having so much fun. I’m hitting the balls with joy. It never gets old. That’s the real truth.”
The veteran star will play her 34th season on the WTA Tour when she returns to the ASB Classic in New Zealand in 2026.
What happened when Venus Williams last played the ASB Classic?
Williams return to Auckland will be the first time she plays the ASB Classic in three years, since she received a wild card at the 2023 event.
She was drawn against her compatriot Katie Volynets in the first round, who had qualified for the tournament.
Williams defeated Volynets in three sets to set up a second round match with Chinese star Zhu Lin, who beat the American.
The star had previously won the tournament on one occasion in 2015, after she beat Caroline Wozniacki in the final.
