Still fighting at 45! Venus Williams competes in her 33rd straight season on tour, falling in a hard-fought three-set season debut.

On January 6, the first round of the WTA 250 Auckland tournament continued. Former world No. 1 Venus Williams, 45, played her first match since getting married, facing fifth seed Magda Linette. It also marked Venus’ 33rd consecutive season competing on tour. After a three-set battle, Venus fell 4–6, 6–4, 2–6, missing out on a season-opening win.

Venus entered the tournament with a wildcard and is currently ranked No. 581, while Linette is ranked No. 54. The pair had met twice before, both in 2016, and Venus won both encounters.

In the opening set, Linette broke in the 5th and 7th games to build a 5–2 lead. Venus saved a set point and got one break back in the 8th game, then held serve to close the gap to 4–5. Linette, however, served out the set in the 10th game, taking it 6–4.

The second set stayed on serve through nine games. In the 10th game, with Linette needing to hold, Venus delivered a crucial break to win the set 6–4 and force a decider.

In the final set, Venus missed two break points in the 4th game. Linette then took control, breaking in the 5th and 7th games and rolling to a 6–2 finish.

The match lasted 2 hours and 12 minutes. Linette won 6–4, 4–6, 6–2, earning her first victory over Venus in their third meeting. In the next round, Linette will face the winner of the match between Parks and Cocciaretto for a place in the quarterfinals.