Venus Williams sends funny message to Serena Williams ahead of her first match of 2026

Venus is set to play her first match of 2026 alongside Elina Svitolina in the Auckland Classic mixed doubles competition. The pair will face young stars Alexandra Eala and Iva Jovic in the first round.

Ahead of Monday’s match, Venus previewed her opening match while taking a cheeky swipe at her sister.

Venus Williams hopes Serena Williams ‘won’t be jealous’

As per the ASB Classic X page, Venus said: “I’m playing doubles with Elina Svitolina. We’ve always been opponents but finally we’re on the same team.

“And I hope Serena won’t be jealous.”

Serena had been rumoured to be making a comeback to the sport in 2026 after her name appeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) testing pool list in late 2025.

However, Serena quickly shut down these rumours in a post on her X page.

She said: “Omg y’all I’m not coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”

In the same interview, Venus discussed how the dynamic between herself and Svitolina will work in Auckland.

“If there’s one thing she’s going to do, she’s going to compete,” Venus said of Svitolina.

“So neither of us play doubles every day, but I think we’ll both bring our singles game together and make it work.”

Svitolina says playing with Venus Williams will be a ‘big privilege’

Svitolina said: “It’s great to share a court with her and you know, to play with such a legend is a big privilege for me.”

“And I’ll try to do my best tomorrow to give my very best for the win.”

Both players were asked whether they had a doubles nickname in mind.

While laughing, Svitolina said: “No, I think we’ll see about it later.

Venus said: “I don’t think we have a doubles couple name. If we can get one win under us then we’ll have earned a name, so we’ll keep that in mind.”

If Williams and Svitolina defeat Mboko and Jovic, they will face Asia Muhammad and Erin Routliffe or Jeseka Maleckova and Renata Zarazua in the second round.

Williams is also competing in the singles draw. The American star is set to play Polish world number Magda Linette in the Auckland Classic first round.

If Venus wins her first round match, she will face either compatriot Alycia Parks or Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the second round.

Svitolina is the top seed in the women’s singles draw. The Ukrainian star is set to play Varvara Gracheva before a potential match against Katie Boulter or Yuliia Starodubtseva.

Danish player Clara Tauson won the 2025 Auckland Open Women’s Singles title. Jiang Xinyu and Wu Fang-hsien won the mixed doubles.