A Williams Homecoming at Flushing Meadows
Venus Williams has been awarded a singles wildcard into the 2026 US Open main draw, marking yet another chapter in one of tennis's most remarkable careers. The 46-year-old American, who first competed in New York back in 1997 and reached the final on that debut appearance, won the title at Flushing Meadows in both 2000 and 2001. The United States Tennis Association also extended a wildcard to 2017 champion Sloane Stephens, with the main draw set to begin on August 30.
Perhaps the bigger headline, though, is what the USTA left deliberately unanswered. One women's singles wildcard spot remains officially unannounced, and the strong indication is that it is being held in case Serena Williams, 44, decides to enter singles competition. Serena returned to the sport in June after a four-year absence and received a Wimbledon singles wildcard earlier this summer, though a knee injury sustained in her first-round loss there forced her to withdraw from planned doubles action with Venus. The two sisters reunited on court this week at the Cincinnati Open, falling in three sets to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns.
A Record-Setting Return Amid a Difficult Season
Venus carries some sobering numbers into this wildcard invitation. She is winless in 13 singles matches on tour this season, with her most recent victory coming in Washington in July 2025. Her only Grand Slam appearance in 2026 was a first-round defeat at the Australian Open to Olga Danilovic. Last year at the US Open she became the oldest singles player in the tournament since 1981, and her emotional post-match remarks suggested she was at peace with whatever came next.
For all the on-court struggles, Venus and Serena continue to pack stadiums, as crowds in Cincinnati proved this week. TennisDraw users tracking the Williams sisters' Flushing Meadows prospects will want to keep a close eye on that final wildcard announcement.
