Venus Williams marked her comeback with a resounding victory on Monday, clinching her first tour-level singles win in eighteen months at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand. The 42-year-old tennis icon, a former world No. 1 and winner of seven grand slam titles, triumphed over fellow American Katie Volynets with a score of 7-6(4), 6-2.
Williams, who had received a wild card entry into this year’s tournament after winning the ASB Classic in 2015, showcased her resilience by recovering from a deficit in the first set against Volynets. She rallied back after being down a break at 4-5, finally dominating the tie break to secure the set.
The second set saw Williams take command early, sprinting to a commanding 5-0 lead before closing out the match three games later. This victory marked her first singles win since defeating Mihaela Buzărnescu at Wimbledon in 2021.
Reflecting on her triumph, Williams expressed her delight at returning to a favorite venue, stating, “This is one of my favorite places to come, I was so excited that I made it here … I’m happy to get a win today against a great opponent,” during her on-court interview.
Recently, it was announced that Williams, who debuted professionally in 1994, received a wild card for the main draw of the upcoming Australian Open starting January 16th. This opportunity further underscores her enduring impact and determination in the world of tennis.