Venus Williams set for Nansha debut at Guangzhou Open

Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and former world No 1, will appear in Nansha for the first time at the 2026 Guangzhou International Women's Open (Guangzhou Open). The tournament runs from Oct 24 to Nov 1 at the Nansha International Tennis Center in Guangzhou.

The 46-year-old American has received wild cards for both singles and doubles. She will partner with Indonesia's Janice Tjen, one of the women's doubles champions at the 2025 Guangzhou Open. It is set to be her first tournament in China since 2019, and she has won titles in Beijing, Wuhan and Zhuhai.

Williams turned professional in 1994 and won her first Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon in 2000. She has claimed 49 singles titles (including seven Grand Slam titles) and 22 doubles titles (including 14 Grand Slam titles). She also has two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, three Olympic doubles gold medals and one Olympic singles gold medal.

Venus Williams. [Photo/WeChat account: nanshafabu]

Williams entered the Guangzhou tournament in 2005 but withdrew with an injury. Twenty-one years later, she will finally play in Guangzhou. Her singles first round is set for Oct 26 and 27, with doubles from Oct 26 to 28.