{
  "id": 1763080,
  "title": "Venus Williams receives US Open wildcard",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/venus-williams-receives-us-open-wildcard-1763080",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T17:20:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/venus-williams-receives-us-open-wildcard/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two-time US Open singles champion Venus Williams has been granted a wildcard entry for this year's tournament, officials announced on Tuesday. The 46-year-old, who previously won the title twice, was eliminated in the first round at Flushing Meadows last year following a loss to Czech Karolina Muchova. Williams and her sister Serena have also returned to doubles action for the first time since 2022, but they were defeated in the opening round at the Cincinnati Open. Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open winner, was also among those who received a wildcard on Monday. The 33-year-old Stephens is attempting a comeback after a foot injury disrupted her 2025 season. The US Open organisers stated that one additional women's singles wildcard spot remains to be announced. On the men's side, Frenchman Gael Monfils was among those who received a wildcard for the main draw earlier this month. Monfils, the former world number six, had previously announced his retirement at the end of the season. On Monday, Monfils and his wife Elina Svitolina were also given wildcards for the US Open mixed doubles tournament.",
  "summary": "She and sister Serena also returned to doubles action for the first time since 2022 on Monday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "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."
}