The tennis world was yet again in awe of Venus Williams as she kicked off her 30th year as a professional player with a straight-sets win against Katie Volynets at the 2023 ASB Classic.Williams received a wildcard entry into the main draw of the ongoing WTA 250 tournament in Auckland. The 42-year-old defeated her 21-year-old compatriot 7-6 (4), 6-2 in one hour and 55 minutes in the opening match on Monday (January 2). The American legend, who made her WTA debut in October 1994 at the age of just 14, displayed high-quality tennis against Volynets.Venus Williams ended her six-match losing streak after her last singles win came against Mihaela Buzarnescu of Romania at the 2021 Wimbledon. She spent almost a year on the sidelines due to injuries and finally returned at the Citi Open last year. She lost all four opening-round matches of the tournaments that she played in 2022, resulting in her ranking sinking to 1,003.However, winning the first match of 2023 gave a sigh of relief to her fans, who showered praise on the seven-time Grand Slam champion for her scarcely believable perseverance. Since her debut in 1994, the only season in which the icon did not register a win was 2022."Oh yesss, my girl Venus won her first match in a while! Go, Venus, go! She played a great match against a youngster. These days, it's not easy out there," a fan tweeted.Sandy Burke@_Burky@WTA_insider Oh yesss, my girl Venus won her first match in a while! Go, Venus, go! She played a great match against a youngster. These days, it's not easy out there. #ASBClassic21@WTA_insider Oh yesss, my girl Venus won her first match in a while! Go, Venus, go! She played a great match against a youngster. These days, it's not easy out there. #ASBClassic"Great victory of Venus who beats Katie Volynets 7-6 6-2, her first win since R1 Wimbledon 2021. Of course, Volynets is not world class (currently ranked #114) and Venus had some challenges closing it out, but she really played well," a user posted.Theo M@molinopuenteGreat victory of Venus who beats Katie Volynets 7-6 6-2, her first win since R1 Wimbledon 2021. Of course, Volynets is not world class (currently ranked #114) and Venus had some challenges closing it out, but she really played well #WTA #Auckland #Venus #VenusWilliams twitter.com/molinopuente/s…Theo M@molinopuenteGreat to see that Venus Williams is still playing at 42 years old. And for what I've seen the past few games, she's playing really well - she hits the ball well, is very concentrated and makes few mistakes. Leading 7-6 3-0 against Katie Volynets now #WTA #Auckland31Great to see that Venus Williams is still playing at 42 years old. And for what I've seen the past few games, she's playing really well - she hits the ball well, is very concentrated and makes few mistakes. Leading 7-6 3-0 against Katie Volynets now #WTA #AucklandGreat victory of Venus who beats Katie Volynets 7-6 6-2, her first win since R1 Wimbledon 2021. Of course, Volynets is not world class (currently ranked #114) and Venus had some challenges closing it out, but she really played well #WTA #Auckland #Venus #VenusWilliams twitter.com/molinopuente/s…"Venus winning singles matches on the professional tour 29 seasons apart has to be one of the great sporting statistics," another tweet read.Connor Joyce@connorjoycebVenus winning singles matches on the professional tour 29 seasons apart has to be one of the great sporting statistics. twitter.com/benrothenberg/…Ben Rothenberg@BenRothenbergOctober 31, 1994: Venus Williams, 14, wins a match on the WTA Tour, in Oakland.January 2, 2023: Venus Williams, 42, wins a match on the WTA Tour, in Auckland.4214October 31, 1994: Venus Williams, 14, wins a match on the WTA Tour, in Oakland.January 2, 2023: Venus Williams, 42, wins a match on the WTA Tour, in Auckland. https://t.co/8YwhYyoNKFVenus winning singles matches on the professional tour 29 seasons apart has to be one of the great sporting statistics. twitter.com/benrothenberg/…GS Tennis News Today@gstntodayVenus Williams.. the star that you are. winning matches at 42 years old?!?truly an inspiration to us all 🏾569Venus Williams.. the star that you are. winning matches at 42 years old?!?truly an inspiration to us all ❤️☝🏾https://t.co/4So6ZGY2ZSTšepang@TsepangMolisanaIt’s 2023 and Venus Williams is still winning. This year has good energy already twitter.com/svitoflopina/s…Marty@SvitoflopinaVee WIN!missed this smile92Vee WIN!missed this smile https://t.co/ll0zv3Jas3It’s 2023 and Venus Williams is still winning. This year has good energy already ✨ twitter.com/svitoflopina/s…Here are some more reactions:Bastien Fachan@BastienFachan@BenRothenberg Venus won her first WTA match when I was four months old and is still winning matches as I am now 28 years old 🤯212@BenRothenberg Venus won her first WTA match when I was four months old and is still winning matches as I am now 28 years old 🤯Maria@tennislolsVenus Williams, you legend. So incredibly happy. I missed that twirl and that smile.112Venus Williams, you legend. So incredibly happy. I missed that twirl and that smile.Todd Scoullar@ToddScoullar@BenRothenberg To put that into context, picture Coco Gauff still winning matches in 2047, after winning her first in 2019….!101@BenRothenberg To put that into context, picture Coco Gauff still winning matches in 2047, after winning her first in 2019….!❤️🎾@Vee16QueenEyes getting teary, it’s been two freaking yearsShe rose 300 spots with that win too!1021Eyes getting teary, it’s been two freaking years😭She rose 300 spots with that win too!Nick McCarvel@NickMcCarvelVenus Williams winning tennis matches in the year 2023? I’m in.30412Venus Williams winning tennis matches in the year 2023? I’m in.Venus Williams to face Lin Zhu in R2 of ASB Classic 2023Venus Williams during her first-round match in AucklandVenus Williams, who is on the hunt for her 50th singles tour title, will square off against China's Lin Zhu in the second round of the ASB Classic on Wednesday (January 4). World No. 84 Zhu beat 57th-ranked Madison Brengle of America 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-4 in the first round of the ASB Classic.Williams has also received a wildcard entry into the main draw of the 2023 Australian Open. During a Q&A session with fans on social media, the American was recently asked if she intended on playing the entire 2023 schedule. She responded by saying that she will take part in some of the tournaments."I've never played as many tournaments as most players but I will make some appearances. Stay tuned," Venus Williams said.