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Venus Williams has been awarded a wildcard for the Auckland Classic in January.

The 45-year-old, who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, made her comeback in July after 16 months without competing.

She defeated fellow American Peyton Stearns, then ranked 35th in the world, on her return at the Washington Open to become the second-oldest woman to win a WTA Tour-level singles match.

A month later, she was given a wildcard into the main draw of the US Open and impressed in her three-set loss to Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova in the first round.

Nicolas Lamperin, tournament director of the Auckland Classic, said: “Venus has had a profound influence on the evolution of women’s tennis and has inspired the next generation with her unshakeable passion for the sport.

“All sports fans should take this opportunity to watch one of the sport’s all-time greats in action.”

Williams is set to play at the Auckland Classic, a tournament she won in 2015, for the first time since 2023.

It might be St. James’ Park’s first visit.

On Wednesday night, Julen Izagirre will be sporting a Newcastle United scarf around his neck, in addition to sporting his favorite Athletic Club outfit.

Before the Champions League sides’ meeting, he said, “It’s so confusing for me.

“I’ve watched Newcastle at St James’ on all of the previous occasions, but this is the first time I’ve sat in the away end in a stadium where I also support the neighborhood team.”

Because of how strongly my feelings toward both clubs are, I believe I will suffer more than I will enjoy the game, I don’t know how I will feel when it’s played. Both of them should not have to lose.

The most recent competitive meeting between the clubs, which took place in 1994, was the culmination of Izagirre’s “falling in love with Newcastle” and subsequent strong bond between supporters.

Izagirre was six when Athletic fans invaded the field and applauded the away end after the team won 1-0 at San Mames, but he still felt the impact that night.

Gontzal Suances, who scored for Athletic in the first leg at St James’ before lining up for his boyhood club in the return game in Bilbao, even left a lasting impression on those who participated in the Uefa Cup second-round tie.

The emotions were reciprocal.

Although Newcastle may have been beaten out, on away goals, fan Waters, Tony still remembers this particular trip fondly because of the warm reception the traveling supporters received.

He said, “They wouldn’t let you spend anything.” I’m not making fun of myself. I followed Newcastle throughout Europe, and I returned with the same amount of money.

They graciously opened the red carpet for us, they said. You couldn’t buy a drink, they said.

After Newcastle supporters welcomed their Spanish visitors with a warm welcome, seeds were planted on Tyneside a few weeks prior.

Later, Suances learned that the fans “bonded very well there,” which resulted in Newcastle supporters being “repaid for everything they had given.”

And why they continued to do so is obvious.

Both Basques and Geordies are incredibly passionate about their respective football teams and have a strong local identity.

According to Athletic supporter Mikel Izagirre, the father of Julen, Bilbao is also a “very British city.”

The 72-year-old said, “You hear that comment all the time from different fans, different locations.”

Newcastle’s first European campaign since 1977.

It was also their first appearance since 1990’s Heysel Stadium disaster, when English clubs were prohibited from playing on the continent.

On a national holiday, there was still a respectable amount of police presence in Bilbao.

Karl Pedley, a Newcastle supporter, described the “full riot police, some of whom were armed, who were accompanied into San Mames by the fans there.”

However, he noticed how “some of them were sitting down with their helmets and pads off, and were enjoying what we were doing,” just a few minutes into the game.

Even after Newcastle were defeated 1-0, Athletic fans invaded the pitch and ran toward the away end to applaud the traveling support.

Newcastle supporters chanted “Athletic!” in response. athlete ! “Athletic” – but the issue continued to be resolved.

According to Pedley, “the police restricted us for a short while and led us down a long concrete staircase into the main road.” “This mass of red and white was all we could see at the bottom.”

They let us go after dropping us in a single file. We pondered, “Oh, here we go.” But all the Athletic fans wanted to do was give you a pat on the back, shake your hand, and take you to a bar. They appeared to be trying to “adopt a Geordie.”

“I don’t believe there was anyone wearing a shirt from Newcastle United who didn’t get watered and fed that night. They were simply appreciative of how much we had enjoyed their city.

Newcastle fans exchanged chants to teach Athletic supporters, among others, “walking in a Keegan wonderland” and “he gets the ball and scores a goal, Andy, Andy Cole.”

Red and white, which are also the colors of bitter rivals Sunderland, were even used for the swap, and this is believed to be the only occasion when a number of Newcastle supporters did so.

One of these Athletic shirts will never be forgotten by Newcastle fan Philip Long, a cherished souvenir from a memorable away day.