ASB Classic: 1100 WTA matches and counting for Venus Williams

On Tuesday afternoon, Venus Williams will step out on court in a WTA singles match for the 1101st time.

It’s a number that defies belief, but also could have been higher if not for persistent injuries and health issues. After managing between 50-70 matches a season for most of her career, Williams has been limited to 41 singles appearances this decade and just six matches since September 2023.

But somehow, the 45-year-old is still going. This will surely be her final year on tour – after being a feature of the tennis scene since the mid-1990s – and it feels appropriate that it will start in Auckland.

The ASB Classic has become one of her favourite tournaments, which is unusual given she didn’t come here until the age of 33. But that 2014 visit was special, right from the pōwhiri at Ōrākei marae to welcome her, which she was clearly touched by, and then the rapturous reception from the fans, thrilled such a legend had come to New Zealand.

Williams lived up to the billing that year, going all the way to the final before being edged by Ana Ivanovic in three sets. The American went one better in 2015, lifting the trophy after coming back from a set down to beat Caroline Wozniacki in the decider. In 2019, she featured in one of the best first-round matches in tournament history, prevailing over three sets against Victoria Azarenka, in an epic clash between the two former world No 1s that stretched more than 130 minutes. She was eliminated that year by eventual winner Bianca Andreescu in another match that went the distance.

On her most recent visit – in 2023 – was another lasting memory, as the then 42-year-old beat compatriot Katie Volynets on the opening day before being outlasted by China’s Lin Zhu in the round of 16.

“A lot of smiles, a lot of great memories,” said Williams, when asked about her six previous visits to Auckland. “I mean, I had some tough moments too where I was desperately injured, but I still had fun. The key word is just enjoying the time.”

That’s a theme for Williams, as she makes the most of her last lap, which will include another Australian Open appearance in two weeks. There is nothing left to prove but she has high personal standards and a fierce competitive nature.

“The biggest pressure is the one we put on ourselves, right?” said Williams. “And then when you look back and you’re like, it wasn’t such a big deal. So hopefully I can look back with the 20/20 vision while I’m in the present, like just let it go, let it flow, enjoy it and be in the moment. That’s not easy to do and that’s why people love sports, right?

“Because there’s no do-overs, there’s no let’s re-record that, let’s not take another take. It’s like you do it now or not.”

Williams faces Polish fifth seed Magda Linette in the third match of Tuesday’s day session. The world No 55 has yet to beat the American, though their two previous encounters were a decade ago.

Schedule – Tuesday, Jan 6 (Singles)

CENTRE COURT (from 11.30am)

[WC] K. Boulter (GBR) v [Q] Y. Starodubtseva (UKR)

[WC] M. Barry (NZL) v E. Seidel (GER)

[5] M. Linette (POL) v [WC] V. Williams (USA)

Not before 6pm [1] E. Svitolina (UKR) v V. Gracheva (FRA)

D. Vekic (CRO) v [4] A. Eala (PHI)

GRANDSTAND starts at 11.30am

C. Osorio (COL) v P. Marcinko (CRO)

Not before 1pm S. Kartal (GBR) v [6] J. Tjen (INA)

A. Parks (USA) v E. Cocciaretto (ITA)

Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.