A Legend Still Drawing Crowds
Venus Williams has achieved more than almost any player in the history of the sport. Five Wimbledon singles titles, two US Open crowns, and nearly three decades of professional tennis have cemented her place among the all-time greats. Now 46, she holds a world ranking of 611 and has lost her last 14 singles matches in a row, meaning wildcards are the only pathway into competitive draws.
The United States Tennis Association has handed her a 12th wildcard of the season for the upcoming US Open, where she will open against fellow Grand Slam champion Sofia Kenin. Tournament directors across New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Germany, Canada, and the United States have all invited her to compete in 2025. That level of demand, even amid a prolonged losing run, says something about the commercial pull she still carries.
The Commercial Case for Williams
Karl Hale, tournament director for the WTA 1000 event in Toronto, made the business logic clear. He told BBC Sport that Williams' legacy is extraordinary, that she remains popular in the Canadian market, and that announcing a Williams sister's appearance drives early media attention and, by extension, ticket sales. Hale argued that wildcards typically fill first-round matches, and having recognizable names present from the very start benefits the entire event.
Williams has shown she can still compete at the Grand Slam level. She pushed 11th seed Karolina Muchova to three sets at last year's US Open and fell narrowly in three sets to Olga Danilovic at this year's Australian Open. Her only singles win since July 2024 came against Peyton Stearns in Washington.
TennisDraw users tracking the US Open draw will want to account for Kenin's experience when making their first-round bracket picks.
