Tennis Legend Venus Williams to Play in ATX Open

Seven-time Grand Slam champion granted wildcard entry into Austin tournament

Feb. 4, 2026 at 5:39pm

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Venus Williams, a tennis legend with 33 seasons as a professional player, five Wimbledon singles titles, and four Olympic gold medals, has been granted a wildcard entry to play in the upcoming ATX Open women's tennis tournament in Austin, Texas from February 21 to March 1.

Why it matters

Williams' participation in the ATX Open will bring significant attention and excitement to the tournament, as she continues her comeback to the Women's Tennis Association after taking a year off. The event will also feature other top players like World No. 6 Jessica Pegula and former NCAA champion Peyton Stearns, making it a must-see event for tennis fans in the Austin area.

The details

Williams will compete in both singles and doubles events at the ATX Open, which is held at the Westwood Country Club in West Austin. The tournament will run from February 21 to March 1, and will also feature the return of reigning champion McCartney Kessler.

  • The ATX Open will take place from February 21 to March 1, 2026.
  • Venus Williams was granted a wildcard entry to the tournament on February 4, 2026.

The players

Venus Williams

A seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and four-time Olympic gold medalist, Venus Williams is a tennis legend with 33 seasons as a professional player.

Jessica Pegula

The World No. 6 player, Jessica Pegula is an Australian Open semifinalist who will also be competing in the ATX Open.

Peyton Stearns

A former NCAA champion and Texas Longhorn, Peyton Stearns will be playing in the ATX Open.

McCartney Kessler

The reigning champion of the ATX Open, McCartney Kessler will be returning to defend her title.

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What they’re saying

“I'm so excited to be heading to Austin and playing my first ATX Open. The city has such great energy and I've heard the fans are incredible. I'm looking forward to playing both singles and doubles in front of such a passionate tennis community.”

— Venus Williams (statesman.com)

What’s next

The ATX Open will take place from February 21 to March 1, 2026, with Venus Williams competing in both singles and doubles events.

The takeaway

The addition of tennis legend Venus Williams to the ATX Open lineup will undoubtedly generate significant buzz and excitement around the tournament, further cementing Austin's reputation as a hub for top-tier tennis events and drawing in fans from across the region to witness the return of one of the sport's all-time greats.