Venus Williams will play her first American tournament since the 2025 US Open when she competes at the ATX Open.
Williams is set to play Ajla Tomljanovic in the first round of the ATX Open, the player who famously knocked her sister Serena out of her last US Open.
The American will appear at the event alongside some very big names, including Dubai champion Jessica Pegula and 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu.
Ahead of the event, Williams has been preparing for her tennis return with a practice session with Britain’s Fran Jones.
Fran Jones reacts to sharing the court with Venus Williams
On Instagram, Jones posted a picture after she and the seven-time Grand Slam singles title winner following their training session in Austin.
Jones has not played a WTA Tour match since retiring against Linda Klimovicova in the first round of the Australian Open.
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The British star is set for a first round match against Peyton Stearns and she was buoyed by a practice session with Williams ahead of the event.
After sharing the court with one of the real legends of the game, Jones wrote: “Back on tour. Decent first hit.”
Williams has picked up three singles tournaments so far in 2026, at the ASB Classic, Hobart International, and the Australian Open, but she is yet to pick up a victory.
Venus Williams and Fran Jones are in the same section of the draw
Williams and Jones could meet again at the ATX Open, as they have both been drawn in the bottom half of the draw.
However, it is very unlikely as they can only meet in the semi-finals of the competition.
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Williams could be set for a blockbuster cross-generational meeting with Iva Jovic in the second round, who is 27 years younger than her opponent.
Jones, meanwhile, will fancy her chances if she can find a shock victory against Stearns in the first round.
The British star will only have one more seed, Anna Bondar, to play before the semi-finals if she beats Stearns.
The ATX Open could be a pivotal tournament for Jones as she looks to climb back up the rankings following her short hiatus.