Venus Williams handed wildcard place at Auckland Classic aged 45 as tennis legend has eye on Australian Open return
Published 05/11/2025 at 14:41 GMT
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Venus Williams has been handed a wildcard place for the Auckland Classic in January, at the age of 45. The seven-time Grand Slam winner took 16 months out of the sport before returning in July, and immediately defeated 35th seed Peyton Stearns at the Citi Open. In entering Auckland, where Williams won in 2015, she has an eye on the Australian Open, which commences a week after the final.
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Video credit: SNTV
Tennis legend Venus Williams has been handed a wildcard place at the Auckland Classic in January at the age of 45, as her incredible comeback continues.
Seven-time Grand Slam winner Williams returned to the sport in July after 16 months out of the sport.
Immediately upon her return, Williams showed class is permanent, as she defeated the then-35th-ranked Peyton Stearns in straight sets in the last 32 at the Citi Open.
That win saw Williams become the second-oldest woman to win a WTA Tour match, behind only Martina Navratilova, who won aged 47 in 2004.
A month later, she impressed in a defeat at the US Open against Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova, winning the second set to put major pressure on the 29-year-old in a 3-6 6-2 1-6 defeat.
Williams’ return to elite tennis has not been without disappointment, though, with a straight-sets defeat to Jessica Bouzas in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters.
Williams will be looking to back up her 2015 triumph at the Auckland Classic as she casts an eye on playing in the Australian Open - the opening major of 2026.
On the inclusion of Williams into the competition, Nicolas Lamperin, tournament director of the Auckland Classic, said: "Venus has had a profound influence on the evolution of women's tennis and has inspired the next generation with her unshakeable passion for the sport.
"All sports fans should take this opportunity to watch one of the sport's all-time greats in action."
The Auckland Classic begins on January 5, with the final taking place on January 11 - a week before the Australian Open, which can be watched live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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The competition was won by 2025 French Open victor Coco Gauff last year, beating Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in the final 6-7 6-3 6-3.
Williams previously won five Wimbledon titles between 2000 and 2008, and the US Open in 2000 and 2001.
She most recently appeared in the final of a major in 2017, reaching the Australian Open final and losing to her sister Serena Williams in straight sets.
The last time she went beyond the opening round of a major tournament came at Wimbledon in 2021, when she fell to a 7-5 6-0 defeat to 21st seed Ons Jabeur.
Watch and stream top tennis action, including the 2026 Australian Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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