ATX Open Returns With World-Class Tennis Firepower, Venus Williams Set To Play.

The ATX Open returns this week as “Austin’s only professional tour-level tennis tournament and the city’s largest women’s professional sporting event” and one of only “four women’s-only tour-level tennis tournaments in the country.” From February 21 through March 1 at Westwood Country Club, the WTA 250 event delivers a 32-player singles draw and 16-team doubles field—world-class tennis in one of the most intimate settings on tour.

And this year—the tournament is stacked. Tournament Director Christo Van Rensburg calls it the “strongest player field yet,” adding that this year’s tournament “puts the world on notice that the Texas Tennis Takeover is only growing.” With Grand Slam champions, Olympic legends, hometown heroes, and rising phenoms all descending on Westwood, this isn’t just another stop on the calendar—it’s a full-blown tennis moment for Austin.

Here’s a look at some of the most anticipated athletes set to take the court:

• Venus Williams: A “seven-time Grand Slam singles champion” and “the most decorated tennis player in Olympic history” is making her ATX Open debut. “I’m so excited to be heading to Austin and playing my first ATX Open,” Williams said. “The city has such great energy and I’ve heard the fans are incredible… I’m looking forward to playing both singles and doubles in front of such a passionate tennis community.”
• Jessica Pegula: The defending champion and “World No. 6” returns after capturing the 2025 ATX Open title and reaching the 2026 Australian Open semifinals. She headlines what organizers describe as a field reflecting “the depth and momentum of the women’s game,” offering fans “an up-close look at elite competition.”
• Peyton Stearns: The University of Texas legend and former NCAA champion is back, calling Austin electric: “I never get tired of playing in front of these amazing fans… The home crowd atmosphere in Austin is electric… It’s going to be special.” Her pro breakthrough began here—where she earned “her first WTA Tour match win and reached her first tour quarterfinal.”
• Jelena Ostapenko: The 2017 French Open singles champion and nine-time WTA singles champion brings serious firepower to Austin. “As fans around the world know, I love playing on big stages with loud and enthusiastic crowds… I couldn’t be more excited to compete in my first ATX Open,” Ostapenko said.
• McCartney Kessler: After reaching both the singles and doubles finals last year—becoming “the first ATX Open player who has ever made the singles and doubles finals in the same year”—Kessler is running it back. “I really love playing that tournament and am grateful for the fan support… I am locked in and ready to get back to Westwood,” she said.

Where: Westwood Country Club | When: February 21–March 1 | Tickets: Here.

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