Venus Williams is back in action again next week, hoping to reignite her season as she returns to America.
Playing in Austin’s ATX Open, the 45-year-old superstar is a coup for any tournament that manages to snag her presence.
However, particularly in her home country, the fanfare is certain to reach fever pitch.
Venus Williams will be well aware that her chances of regularly challenging for titles are gone now, but her love for the sport keeps her coming back for more.
And now, ironically enough, she has been gifted an opportunity to exact revenge on behalf of her sister, Serena, as the draw for her latest event has been released.
Venus Williams learns her ATX Open draw
Admittedly, the draw has not been kind to Venus.
Fortunately, she is set to play in both singles and doubles, allowing the organisers in Austin to maximise her time on court and, therefore, fan intrigue.
It’s the end of the 2026 season… How many matches has Venus Williams won this year? Where is she ranked? Let us know in the comments👇
In the singles, she could arguably not have been handed a more mouth-watering clash, set to face Ajla Tomljanović in the first round.
Injuries have not been kind to the Australian over the last few years, but many will remember her as the player who ended Serena Williams’ professional career.
She beat the 23-time Grand Slam champion in her last-ever match at the US Open, back in 2022.
Now, Venus has been handed the opportunity to get one back on behalf of the Williams sisters. If she wins, the legendary veteran will likely face second seed Iva Jovic in the second round.
How Serena Williams reacted after losing to Ajla Tomljanović in her last-ever tennis match
Naturally, Serena cut an emotional figure as she spoke on court after her defeat.
She began by thanking the crowd, noting: “I thank everyone that’s here, that’s been on my side so many years, decades. Oh my gosh, literally decades,” said Williams, who played her first professional tournament as a 14-year-old in 1995.
What would happen if Serena Williams played Aryna Sabalenka in 2025?
”But it all started with my parents. And they deserve everything. So I’m really grateful for them.”
She concluded with a nod to her sister, who will now face Tomljanović herself: ”And I wouldn’t be Serena if there wasn’t [sister] Venus, so thank you, Venus. She’s the only reason that Serena Williams ever existed.”
Tomljanović, reacting to this historic result, added: “Well, I’m feeling really sorry just because I love Serena Williams just as much as you guys do. And what she’s done for me, for the sport of tennis, is incredible. I never thought that I’d have a chance to play her in her last match.”
This all could be made obsolete if Serena Williams does make a return to tennis in 2026.
