Venus Williams, 45, to open 33rd straight professional season at Auckland Classic

Williams to play 33rd WTA season at age 45US star given wildcard for Januarys ASB ClassicFormer champ joins Osaka in Auckland fieldTennis great Venus Williams plans to play for a 33rd straight season on the WTA Tour, starting in Auckland in January.Organizers of the ASB Classic in New Zealand said Wednesday that the 45-year-old Williams would feature at their 5-11 January event.