Full Breakdown
Venus Williams Receives U.S. Open Singles Wild Card at Age 46, Spot Potentially Reserved for Sister Serena
8/19/2026, 3:47:59 AM
Core Event: Wild Card Awards
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced that Venus Williams, 46, has been granted a singles wild card for the 2026 U.S. Open. Former champion Sloane Stephens also received a wild card, and six additional American women—Carol Young Suh Lee, Reese Brantmeier, Thea Frodin, Leolia Jeanjean, Taylah Preston, and an unnamed sixth—were awarded direct entry. On the men’s side, Gael Monfils, Alexei Popyrin, Michael Zheng, Martin Damm, J.J. Wolf, Sebastian Gorzny, and Jack Kennedy received wild cards. One women’s wild-card slot remains listed as “To be announced,” which USTA officials indicated is being held for Serena Williams should she decide to compete.
Background & Context
Venus Williams first appeared at Flushing Meadows in 1997, reaching the final on debut, and captured the U.S. Open singles title in 2000 and 2001. After a limited schedule in recent years, she returned to the main draw in 2025 via a wild card and has played sporadically on the WTA Tour. Serena Williams, 44, ended a four-year hiatus in June 2026, first competing in doubles and then accepting a wild card for Wimbledon, where she lost in the first round to Maya Joint and suffered a right-knee injury that forced her out of the doubles draw. The sisters reunited for doubles at the Cincinnati Open, losing a three-set match to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns.
Data & Statistics
- Age: Venus Williams, 46, becomes the oldest singles entrant at the U.S. Open since Renee Richards, who played at age 47 in 1981 (International Tennis Federation).
- Season Record: Venus is 0-10 in singles and 3-9 in doubles in 2026. Her last singles victory came in Washington, July 2025.
- Serena’s Recent Play: One singles match this year—a first-round loss to Maya Joint at Wimbledon—followed by a knee injury.
- Wild Card Distribution: Seven of eight women’s wild cards have been named; the eighth remains pending.
Official Statements & Responses
The International Tennis Federation provided the historical context for Venus’s age record, confirming that no player older than 46 has entered the U.S. Open singles main draw since 1981.
Timeline
- Tuesday (announcement day): USTA announces seven women’s wild cards and holds one spot for Serena Williams.
- August 24 (scheduled): Mixed-doubles competition begins, with three remaining places to be filled.
- August 30 (scheduled): Main draw for singles and women’s doubles opens at Flushing Meadows.
Why It Matters
Venus’s wild-card entry underscores the tournament’s tradition of honoring veteran champions while providing a pathway for players whose rankings would not otherwise grant direct entry. The potential inclusion of Serena would create a rare sister reunion on a Grand Slam stage, generating significant media interest and fan engagement. Additionally, the USTA’s use of a held wild-card slot reflects strategic flexibility in accommodating high-profile players returning from injury or hiatus.
What’s Next
The U.S. Open main draw commences on August 30. Serena Williams must decide within the coming days whether to accept the pending wild card, a decision that will be announced by the USTA before the start of qualifying. The tournament will also finalize women’s doubles and mixed-doubles wild-card allocations in the lead-up to the opening day.
