After an early doubles exit alongside Elina Svitolina, Venus Williams launched her 2026 singles season in Auckland with a gritty three-set battle, ultimately falling 6–4 4–6 6–2 to fifth seed Magda Linette at the ASB Classic.
At 45, Williams was facing an opponent who was just two years old when she began her professional career. The 33-year-old Linette, ranked No. 52, needed more than two hours of sustained focus to overcome a player who refused to give ground, physically or mentally, in what marked Williams’ 1,101st singles match at tour level.
Although the result went against her, the performance itself may prove far more important as Williams prepares for a busy stretch in Australia, where she is scheduled to play the Hobart International followed by the Australian Open. The Auckland appearance came via a wildcard, as will her entry into Hobart and the season’s first Grand Slam in Melbourne.
Tuesday’s match was also Williams’ first singles outing since the US Open last August, where she exited in the opening round against Karolina Muchova. Her 2025 season was intentionally light, limited to just three tournaments.
Any questions about her readiness were quickly answered on court. Ranked No. 582 and a former Auckland champion in 2015, Williams moved with freedom, struck the ball cleanly off both wings, and punctuated her service games with seven aces. Her timing and court coverage repeatedly forced Linette into uncomfortable positions, drawing praise from the Pole after the match.
“It was really impressive and I really had to stay calm,” Linette said in a courtside interview. “She pushes you to a spot you don’t want to be and that’s where I was for a while, so I’m really glad I was able to refresh and come back with a little bit better game.” (via ESPN)
