Tennis Great Venus Williams Charts Her Path for 2026
Tennis great Venus Williams is charting her path for 2026, kicking off her season at the ASB Classic in Auckland. After an extended break from the professional circuit, Williams made a splash upon her return during the North American tennis events last summer. She attracted attention with a thrilling victory over Peyton Stearns at the 2025 Citi Open in Washington.
Recent Performances and Comeback
Though her subsequent singles matches at the Citi Open, the 2025 Cincinnati Open, and the 2025 US Open ended in losses, her performance caught the eye of many; notably, she pushed Karolina Muchova to a deciding third set. Instead of treating her comeback as a final farewell, the 45-year-old draws inspiration from competing at such a high level at her age, leading her to enter the ASB Classic—a tournament she has previously participated in three times.
Insights from Williams
In a recent vlog shared on social media platforms, Williams provided insights into her decision-making process for the upcoming season. She emphasized her desire to avoid overwhelming herself by scheduling too many tournaments in the early part of the year and highlighted the preparations she made post-US Open.
“What’s next? We’re going to Auckland. We’re on our feet, and it’s important to me to get started early because cramming puts unnecessary pressure on me. Even when I missed a day or two of practice, I stayed consistent, and it’s definitely paying off,”
she stated.
Comparisons with Serena Williams
Competing professionally at the age of 45 is an extraordinary feat in itself, especially considering that her younger sister, Serena Williams—another icon of the sport—has been on a hiatus for over three years to focus on family life and spend time with her daughter.
Coco Gauff’s Plans for 2026
Meanwhile, the younger star Coco Gauff has confirmed her plans to kick off her 2026 season at the United Cup instead of the ASB Classic, where she previously started her 2023 and 2024 campaigns with back-to-back titles. Her decision is in line with her successful experience at the United Cup, where she emerged victorious in both singles and doubles matches, contributing to Team USA’s championship triumph. Notably, Gauff’s victory in the final included overcoming Iga Swiatek, amid some controversy due to a medical timeout taken by Swiatek during the closing moments of the match.
Gauff’s Continued Success
Gauff, age 21 and currently the WTA world No. 3, relished her experience at the United Cup and is set to participate again in January. Alongside Taylor Fritz, another pivotal player for Team USA, they will aim to defend their title, carrying the expectations of being favorites once more. Following a strong showing in the 2025 Asian swing, highlighted by her first title at the Wuhan Open, Gauff faced challenges at the WTA Finals and later expressed gratitude towards her supporters in a heartfelt message, reflecting on a fruitful but demanding season.
