At 45, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams will line up at the Auckland Classic in January after accepting a wild card for the tournament, which runs from January 5-11 as a lead-up to the Australian Open.
Williams made her comeback to the tour in August at the US Open following a 16-month break. Tournament director Nicolas Lamperin praised her condition and wider impact on tennis, saying she remains one of the standout figures of the modern game both for her on-court achievements and her support of women’s tennis off it.
Lamperin added that Venus has helped shape the sport and inspired younger competitors with her enduring dedication and love for tennis.
Williams is no stranger to Auckland, having captured the title in 2015 with a victory over Caroline Wozniacki. Her career highlights include five Wimbledon singles crowns, two US Open titles and the Olympic singles gold from Sydney 2000.
Describing her return as a welcome moment for the tournament, Lamperin encouraged fans to come and watch one of tennis’s most iconic players.
Japan’s four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka has also been confirmed to play in the event.
With the Australian Open set to begin in Melbourne on January 18, the Auckland Classic serves as an important tune-up for players preparing for the season’s first major.
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