Magda Linette: On Beating Venus Williams & Maintaining 11 Years in Top 100

Most tennis careers are marked by phases of ups and downs. Breakthrough seasons are often followed by sophomore slumps. Injuries can keep players off the tour for months at a time, and burnout has ended many careers earlier than expected. Amid those varying scenarios, Magda Linette stands out as a beacon of consistency.

The Pole finished the 2025 season at world No. 55 — her 11th consecutive year-end finish inside the top 100. In fact, the last time she was ranked outside the top 100 was in September 2016. That remarkable consistency and longevity is something Linette is most proud of when she reflects on her 17-year professional career.

A Decade of Dominance in the Top 100

“I don't think it's something many people have done, to be in the top 100 for so long and to be this consistent,” Linette told Sportshadow in an exclusive interview.

“I think that's what I'm the most proud of. In general, I've been pretty healthy but that was also because I really took care of things and I was really paying attention to my fitness and I was putting a lot of effort into it. I think both mentally and physically, I really kept myself on this level for quite some time. And I think that was pretty great.”

Now in her 18th season on the international circuit, Linette has made a solid start to 2026. After ending last season on a six-match losing streak while dealing with health-related issues, the 34-year-old has compiled a 10-6 record prior to the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells this week.

Breaking the Grand Slam Curse

The run included a first-round win over 15th seed Emma Navarro at the Australian Open. The victory was particularly meaningful as it came after eight consecutive first-round exits at Grand Slams.

“It meant a lot, because it wasn't an easy draw. You want to play your best at the Grand Slams which is really difficult because there’s a lot of pressure,” she said.

“To have an opponent like that who feels so comfortable at the Australian Open and has had such good results there, obviously, was a challenge. I knew what I was going in for and I was ready. I just had that experience from matches before.

That really helped me in that match with her. I was in a difficult position, but I managed to stay calm, weather the storms of her playing well and me maybe sometimes not clicking in at the beginning. And then as the match went on and on, I played better and gained confidence.”

The Victory Over Venus Williams

Another notable victory for Linette this season came two weeks before the Australian Open, when she faced former world No. 1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams in the opening round of the ASB Classic in Auckland.

Linette had lost both previous encounters against the American and entered the match on a six-match losing streak, describing the situation as a lose-lose scenario for herself.

“Obviously not an easy match because you're supposed to win, right? And if it goes to three sets, people might see that as unexpected, which is a bit unfair to both of us,” the Pole said.

“Venus came out and showed what a great level she can still play at. She showed why she was on top for so long and how fit she has kept herself. It's really impressive.

"I thought it was difficult to just deal a bit with the pressure because obviously there's a lot of buzz around matches like that and I knew that the level that she's going to bring is going to be really high, so you're in a lose-lose position in there.

"I think just taking that part and really putting it as far away from myself was a key. Just focusing a bit on the match, on just playing another opponent, not really thinking too much into it. That was really important to me and Venus is just all-class, I feel.

"It's really a privilege to play against somebody like this and obviously get this chance to beat her was amazing because I never thought I would and it happened. I was really happy and I still took it as a great win because she really did come up with a great level,” she added.

Eyes on the Top 30 and Future Goals

At her peak, Linette reached a career-high ranking of world No. 19, 30 places higher than her current ranking of No. 49. The Pole says she hopes to return to the top 30, believing she still has the level to compete there.

“I definitely want to come back to the higher ranking. That's the goal, to be back in top 30. I was there for quite a major part of the last year. I do think I belong there. I'm beating players from the top 20 and I know I can do that.

"As long as I feel this way, I just want to continue and don't really put too many limits and restraints because I've been asked how long I'm going to play for, I think already five years.

"And I've been saying every year for three years now. So I don't have specific goals. I obviously have more goals performance-wise because I don't have a pressure anymore about the rankings, about Grand Slams that much as I used to have.

"I think I'm a bit more focused this year on just doing the things I'm working on in the pressure situations in the matches. I think I just shifted it a bit. And I think that gives me a little bit more calmness as well when I'm playing," she elaborated.

Retirement, Family, and the Road Ahead

Linette’s campaign at the BNP Paribas Open ended in the first round with a defeat to American Ashlyn Krueger. She will now head to Miami Open for the next WTA 1000 event. Regardless of how the next few months — or years — unfold, the Pole does not see herself competing into her 40s like Venus Williams.

“I don't think I'm good enough as they were to play at that age. But I guess you never know. As of now, I would say no, because I feel at some point, I would really like to start a family one day. And I don't really see myself travelling with children or leaving them.

I'm very impressed with the girls that can do it. I don't just see myself being able to do it on the high level like this. So I would say no,” she added.

But having experienced so much across her career, Linette also acknowledges that life does not always follow a set plan.

“If you asked me 15 years ago whether I would be still playing now and be top 100 at the age of 34, I would probably also tell you no. So you never know what life will brings you. Playing in my 40s is not in my plans, but life is crazy.”

For now, the Polish veteran remains focused on competing at the highest level and making the most of the years she still has on tour. And if her remarkable run of consistency is anything to go by, Magda Linette’s story in professional tennis is far from over.