Venus Williams set for a 33rd season: American receives wild card for Auckland in 2026

Still active at 45, Venus Williams has received a wild card from the organizers of the Auckland tournament for the upcoming season.

Venus Williams is tireless. The American, who started her career in 1994, is still active and even participated in three tournaments this year: Washington, Cincinnati, and the US Open, with a victory against Peyton Stearns in the US capital (6-3, 6-4) before three losses against Magdalena Frech, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, and Karolina Muchova. But this poor run is no cause for concern for Williams, who has no plans to retire.

The former world number one, now ranked 570th in the WTA rankings, is indeed expected to play at the WTA 250 tournament in Auckland (January 6-11) in early 2026. The organizers of the New Zealand event have granted her a wild card. If Williams accepts the invitation, she would compete in a tour-level match for the 33rd season of her career.