Tennis legend Venus Williams, 45, has been awarded a wildcard to play in the Auckland Classic in January.
The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion is continuing her impressive return to the WTA Tour after a 16-month break.
Her comeback in July saw her defeat world number 35 Peyton Stearns, making her the second-oldest woman to win a WTA Tour-level singles match. She later impressed at the US Open, taking the 11th seed to three sets.
Tournament director Nicolas Lamperin praised Williams’ influence, stating, “All sports fans should take this opportunity to watch one of the sport’s all-time greats in action.”
Williams, who won the tournament in 2015, will compete from January 5-11, ahead of the 2026 Australian Open.
