Venus Williams Next Tournament: Everything to know about American’s long-awaited comeback at 45 amid looming retirement talks

Venus Williams will enter the 33rd season of her career and is scheduled to kick it off with the ASB Classic in January. The 45-year-old had remained inactive for a while due to injuries until returning to the tour for the US Open hard-court tournaments in 2024.

Venus Williams marked her 30th year on the WTA Tour in 2023, but failed to make much out of it. Most of her season was plagued by injuries, and she ended the year as No. 412. She resumed her career in 2024, losing in the early rounds of Indian Wells and Miami, and wasn’t very successful in 2025 either.

At the 2025 Met Gala, while Venus Williams served looks off the court, she also confirmed that she hasn’t retired. Although there’s still buzz about her future, Williams is set to return at the ASB Classic in 2026, marking the 33rd year of her career.

She will next compete at the Australian Open, slated to begin on January 18, 2026.

Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion who redefined women's tennis alongside her sister, Serena Williams, became the first African American to reach the top ranking in the open era in 2002. Besides injuries marring her career, her sister’s dominance also weighed heavily on her attempts to return to top form in women’s singles. In doubles, the Williams sisters remain the most successful pair, having won 14 Major titles.

Venus Williams dropped hints about a possible appearance at the Los Angeles Olympics

Williams at the 2025 US Open - Day 2 - Source: Getty

Venus Williams' best run came at the 2025 US Open, where she reached the women's doubles quarterfinals and the Round of 16 of mixed doubles. She won her first Olympic singles title at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and secured multiple doubles wins over the years. Now, as she stays on and off the court, either for other endeavours or injuries, hardly able to stay in form consistently, the 45-year-old dropped a hint about her possible appearance at the LA Olympics in 2028.

In other news, Williams confirmed her engagement with actor and producer Andrea Preti in July 2025. The two are often spotted vacationing together and spending time together with the tennis legend's pet, Harry.

Edited by Agnijeeta Majumder