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US Open awards 2026 wild cards to Williams sisters

8/28/2026

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Summary

Williams Sisters Return

U.S. Tennis Association awarded wild cards to Serena Williams and Venus Williams for doubles at the 2026 US Open.
The sisters will make their ninth US Open doubles appearance, their first together since 2022.
Serena, 44, returned in June after a four-year break and will play only doubles.
The tournament announced a record $108 million prize fund, with singles champions earning $5.5 million each.

Summary

Sky Extends USOpen

Sky Sports is finalising a three-year US Open broadcast extension through 2030.
The deal adds more than 12 hours of daily live tennis, including the new mixed-doubles event.
Sky secured exclusive UK live rights in 2023, taking them from Amazon Prime.
US Open viewership was about 60 % female in 2025, nearly double Sky’s overall audience share.
Sky is negotiating to extend its ATP and WTA tour rights beyond the 2028 expiry.

History

Historical Context

In 2009 ESPN replaced USA Network as the US Open’s cable home, ending the network’s long-standing coverage that began in 1984. The shift was cemented by an 11-year, $770 million rights deal announced in May 2013, extending ESPN’s live and streaming reach. Sky Sports’ new three-year extension and wild-card entries for Serena and Venus Williams show the tournament’s expanding global commercial appeal.

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Williams Sisters Return

U.S. Tennis Association awarded wild cards to Serena Williams and Venus Williams for doubles at the 2026 US Open.
The sisters will make their ninth US Open doubles appearance, their first together since 2022.
Serena, 44, returned in June after a four-year break and will play only doubles.
The tournament announced a record $108 million prize fund, with singles champions earning $5.5 million each.

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