Nov 6, 2025
FILE – Venus Williams speaks during a ceremony at Arthur Ashe Stadium between matches during the women’s singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Tennis great Venus Williams is planning to play for a 33rd straight season on the WTA Tour starting in Auckland in January.
Organizers of the ASB Classic in New Zealand say the 45-year-old Williams will feature at their Jan. 5-11 event. It suggests the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion is preparing for the Australian Open later that month.
She has never won the Australian Open though was twice a beaten finalist. Williams last played in singles at the U.S. Open in August, losing in three sets to 11th-seeded Karolina Muchova in the first round.
Mulkey shows up this time
BATON ROUGE, La. — LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey, too upset last week to address the departure of athletic director Scott Woodward, said she’s happy the school has reportedly named interim athletic director Verge Ausberry as Woodward’s permanent replacement.
The Tigers opened Mulkey’s fifth season Tuesday night with a 108-55 home victory over Houston Christian.
Sitting near LSU’s bench was Ausberry, a two-time LSU football captain, Louisiana native and longtime athletic department employee. His interim title was reportedly dropped by Wade Rousse when Rousse was appointed as the school’s president Tuesday afternoon.
Mulkey declined to appear at a postgame news conference last week after she learned of Woodward’s departure during an exhibition game.
Assistant head coach Bob Starkey appeared in Mulkey’s absence, describing her as “heartbroken.”
Woodward hired Mulkey after 21 seasons with Baylor.
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