The U.S. Tennis Association has announced several wild card recipients for the upcoming U.S. Open, including a singles entry for 46-year-old Venus Williams. Officials are also reportedly holding one women's wild card in reserve, potentially for Serena Williams.
Venus Williams returns to the U.S. Open at age 46
Venus Williams has secured a singles wild card for the U.S. Open, marking a significant return to the tournament she has previously won twice. According to the report, the 46-year-old becomes the oldest singles entrant in the event's history since Renee Richards competed at age 47 in 1981.. This move highlights a recurring trend in professional tennis where legendary veterans utilize special invitations to extend their careers on the Grand Slam stage.
The inclusion of Venus Williams follows a period of active competition for the veteran. While she has continued to participate in singles matches, she recently reunited with her sister for their first doubles tournament together since the 2022 U.S. Open. this return to the spotlight underscores the enduring draw of the Williams name for both the USTA and tournament spectators.
The USTA's strategic hold on the final women's wild card
The U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) has officially named six women's wild card recipients, including 2017 champion Sloane Stephens, but is intentionally withholding a seventh. The report suggests this hold is a calculated move to accommodate 44-year-old Serena Williams should she decide to return to competitive singles. However, several critical questions remain unanswered by the USTA. it is currently unverified whether Serena's recent knee injury, which forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon, will allow her to compete in New York. Additionally, the source does not confirm if the final men's wild card is strictly reserved for a veteran like Stan Wawrinka or if other candidates are being considered.
Gael Monfils and the men's wild card lineup
On the men's side , the U.S. Open wild card list is headlined by 39-year-old Gael Monfils. As a former U.S. Open semifinalist, Monfils is expected to use this entry as part of his final Grand Slam appearance before retirement. He is joined by Australian Alexei Popyrin, who gained international attention after upsetting Novak Djokovic in 2024. The men's list also features two-time NCAA singles champion Michael Zheng, alongside Martin Damm, J.J. Wolf, Sebastian Gorzny, and Jack Kennedy.
Beyond the main draw, the tournament has also issued wild cards for the qualifying rounds. Japanese star Kei Nishikori has been granted a spot in the men's qualifying tournament, alongside several other players including Jordan Lee and Trevor Svajda. On the women's side, players such as Caroline Dolehide and Janae Preston will also compete for a place in the main draw via the qualifying bracket.
A Cincinnati tiebreaker loss for the Williams sisters
Recent performances in Ohio have added a layer of physical uncertainty to the Williams sisters' upcoming schedule. On Monday, August 17, 2026, Venus and Serena Williams competed in a doubles match at the Cincinnati Open but lost in a match tiebreaker to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns. This match marked a rare reunion for the sisters on the professional circuit.
The loss in Cincinnati follows a period of health concerns for Serena Williams. After a singles match resulted in a knee inury, Serena was forced to withdraw from her planned appearance at Wimbledon. While she indicated to reporters that she hopes to continue competing if she remains healthy, her ability to fulfill the potential wild card slot in New York remains the primary variable for the USTA.
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