Venus Williams, Jelena Ostapenko Headline 2026 ATX Open in Austin as WTA Tour Returns to Westwood Country Club
For Austin tennis fans — and for a city that continues to grow its reputation as a destination for major sporting events — the return of the ATX Open in 2026 is more than a week of elite competition. It’s a chance to see some of the biggest names in women’s tennis compete right in the heart of Central Texas.
The 2026 ATX Open will take place February 21 through March 1 at Westwood Country Club, located at 3808 West 35th Street in Austin, TX 78703. As a WTA 250 tournament and one of the first U.S. stops on the 2026 WTA Tour calendar, the event is expected to draw thousands of spectators from across Texas and around the globe.
With ticket prices starting at $10 and packages and single-session tickets available at atxopen.com, organizers say this year’s tournament will deliver both top-tier tennis and an elevated fan experience.
Venus Williams Commits to 2026 ATX Open in Austin
One of the most anticipated announcements leading into the tournament is the commitment from Venus Williams, widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players in history.
A seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, 49-time WTA singles title winner, and the most decorated tennis player in Olympic history with four Olympic gold medals and one silver, Williams has been ranked World No. 1 in both singles and doubles. She is a five-time Wimbledon singles champion, a two-time US Open singles champion, and alongside her sister Serena Williams, part of the most successful doubles team in women’s tennis history with 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and a 14–0 record in Grand Slam doubles finals.
After more than a year away from competition, Williams, 45, returned to the WTA Tour last July at the Mubadala Citi DC Open. With a straight-sets victory over the World No. 35 player, she became the oldest tour-level match winner in more than 20 years — the oldest woman to win a singles match on tour since Martina Navratilova in 2004.
On her decision to compete in Austin, Williams said, “I’m so excited to be heading to Austin and playing my first ATX Open. 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.”
For local fans, her appearance marks a rare opportunity to watch a global sports icon compete in an intimate club setting close to home.
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Jelena Ostapenko to Make ATX Open Debut
Joining Williams in the 2026 field is Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open singles champion and 2024 US Open doubles champion. A nine-time WTA singles champion who has been ranked as high as World No. 5, Ostapenko most recently defeated World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win the Stuttgart title.
This will be Ostapenko’s first appearance at the ATX Open, where she plans to compete in both singles and doubles.
“As fans around the world know, I love playing on big stages with loud and enthusiastic crowds,” Ostapenko said. “I’ve heard from fellow competitors how much fun it is to play for the crowds in Austin, and I couldn’t be more excited to compete in my first ATX Open later this month.”
Her addition further elevates what many are calling the strongest field in the tournament’s four-year history.
A Strong 2026 WTA 250 Field in Austin
With the initial entry list released, nearly two dozen Top 100 players are set to compete at Westwood Country Club.
Among them is World No. 6 Jessica Pegula, the reigning ATX Open champion and a semifinalist at this year’s Australian Open, as well as a finalist at both the 2024 US Open and the 2023 WTA Finals. Pegula previously battled McCartney Kessler in the first all-American final in ATX Open history last March — the first WTA all-American final on U.S. soil since 2017.
Kessler returns in 2026 after becoming the first ATX Open player to reach both the singles and doubles finals in the same year.
Fans will also see University of Texas alum and former NCAA champion Peyton Stearns, who made her breakthrough at the inaugural ATX Open by earning her first WTA Tour match win and reaching her first tour quarterfinal. Australian standout Ajla Tomljanović, a three-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist who advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 ATX Open, is also returning.
Adding to the next-generation storyline is 17-year-old American Iva Jović, who recently reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
Tournament Director Christo Van Rensburg said the depth of talent reflects the tournament’s continued growth.
“This is our strongest player field yet,” Van Rensburg said. “With Venus joining the action at Westwood, Year 4 of WTA Tour tennis in Austin puts the world on notice that the Texas Tennis Takeover is only growing. The last three years have delivered thrilling moments and memorable finals and this year’s tournament will be unlike any we’ve had before.”
In a separate announcement regarding Ostapenko’s commitment, Van Rensburg added, “We are thrilled to have Grand Slam champion Jelena Ostapenko joining this year’s ATX Open field. She plays with incredible passion and intensity. This player field is exceptionally strong, and we have an outstanding tournament in store for our fans.”
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What Austin Fans Should Know
The 32-player singles field will be finalized following two rounds of qualifying play during opening weekend, February 21–22. One additional wild card entrant will be announced, and one special exempt player may also be added.
New ticket options for 2026 include general admission seating and discounted tickets for juniors ages 14 and under, making the tournament accessible for families, longtime tennis enthusiasts, and newcomers curious about professional women’s tennis in Austin.
For residents searching “ATX Open 2026 tickets,” “WTA Austin tournament,” or “Venus Williams Austin tennis,” the event offers a rare chance to see world-class competition without leaving Central Texas.
As Austin continues to establish itself as a hub for major events — from Formula 1 to music festivals — the ATX Open at Westwood Country Club adds another layer to the city’s evolving sports identity.
The tournament runs February 21 through March 1, 2026. For schedules, ticket information, and updates, visit atxopen.com.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.