Venus Williams given US Open singles wildcard – will Serena join her?

Venus Williams, the 46-year-old tennis star, has received a wildcard for the US Open singles competition. Her sister Serena, 44, could potentially secure a wildcard as well, given that only one spot remains in the main draw. Venus first graced New York with her presence 29 years ago, achieving her singles final debut in 1997. She secured two Grand Slam singles titles during her 2000 and 2001 campaigns at Flushing Meadows.

The Williams sisters have been granted direct entry into the main draw, which commences on Sunday, August 30th.

Serena returned to tennis in June after a four-year hiatus, participating in singles at Wimbledon. The sisters had planned to compete in doubles at Wimbledon but called it off due to Serena's knee injury sustained in her first-round loss to Maya Joint. They later made a comeback together at the Cincinnati Open, losing in three sets. Wildcards for women's doubles remain unannounced, with three spots still available in the revamped mixed doubles competition starting August 24th.

Venus, who has sporadically played singles over the past four years, is currently winless in 13 matches and has not won a singles title at a Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2021. However, she has shown more success in doubles, reaching the quarter-finals in New York last year alongside Canada's Leylah Fernandez. Venus has not tasted a singles victory at a Grand Slam since the 2021 tournament.

Serena, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, played what was presumably her final tournament in New York back in 2022. However, she made a return first in doubles at Queen's in June before being granted the final Wimbledon women's singles wildcard. Venus clinched her first US Open singles title in 2000, just two months after earning her maiden major at Wimbledon. The duo won the championship together a year later, marking their first of nine major showpiece contests.

In 2011, Venus was diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease characterized by pain, numbness, and fatigue. She also shared in 2025 about the impact of painful fibroids on her daily life. In the men's draw, France's Gael Monfils has received a wildcard in the final Grand Slam of his career. There is one remaining wildcard for the men's singles, which could go to 2016 champion Stan Wawrinka, who is also contemplating retirement at the end of the year.