{
  "id": 1753241,
  "title": "Venus Williams gets a US Open singles wild card at 46, with maybe a spot being held for Serena",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/venus-williams-gets-a-us-open-singles-wild-card-at-46-with-maybe-a",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T16:53:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/us-open-wild-card-venus-williams-f08eee83196389da5ec14141e6460fde"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Venus Williams has been awarded a wild card for the U.S. Open singles tournament, marking her as the oldest entrant at the event since Renee Richards in 1981, according to the International Tennis Federation. The 46-year-old American tennis star is set to join her sister Serena, who is also being held a spot, potentially for her return to the competition at the age of 44. Six other women, including 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens, have received wild cards, with the final one yet to be announced and almost certainly going to Serena if she decides to return. The sisters, who teamed up for the doubles tournament at the Cincinnati Open earlier this week, had to withdraw from Wimbledon due to Serena's knee injury. This marked Serena's first singles match since the 2022 U.S. Open, and she has expressed her desire to continue playing if healthy. Among the men's wild cards, Gael Monfils, 39, will play his final Grand Slam before retiring, and Alexei Popyrin, 35, who previously upset Novak Djokovic in 2024. One additional spot remains to be filled among the eight men's wild cards. Women's wild cards were also awarded to Carol Young Suh Lee, Reese Brantmeier, Thea Frodin, Leolia Jeanjean, and Taylah Preston.",
  "summary": "NEW YORK (AP) — Venus Williams was given a wild card into the U.S. Open singles tournament on Tuesday and the tournament is keeping one on hold — perhaps in case her sister Serena…",
  "key_points": [
    "46-year-old Venus Williams awarded US Open singles wild card",
    "Serena Williams holds potential spot for her return at 44",
    "Six women, including Sloane Stephens, receive wild cards"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}