Venus Williams Given US Open Singles Wildcard Will Serena Join Her?

Venus Williams Given US Open Singles Wildcard  Will Serena Join Her?

Venus Williams has been awarded a wildcard into the US Open women’s singles main draw, opening the possibility of another major appearance for the seven time Grand Slam champion and potentially setting the stage for another appearance alongside younger sister Serena.

The 46-year-old American has been granted direct entry into the tournament, which begins at Flushing Meadows on Sunday, August 30. Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens has also received a wildcard.

Williams has a remarkable history at the US Open. She made her debut in New York in 1997 and reached the singles final that year. Three years later, she captured her first US Open title, defeating Lindsay Davenport in the final. She successfully defended the championship in 2001, beating Serena in an historic all-Williams final.

Despite her achievements, Venus enters this year’s tournament without a singles victory in 2026. She has lost all 10 of her singles matches this season and has not won a singles match since defeating Peyton Stearns in Washington in July 2025.

Her most recent Grand Slam singles appearance came at the Australian Open, where she lost in the opening round to Serbia’s Olga Danilovic. She did not compete in singles at Wimbledon.

Nevertheless, Venus has remained active on tour in recent weeks, competing in singles and doubles in Washington, Toronto and Cincinnati.

Her return to Cincinnati generated significant attention, particularly because she reunited with Serena for doubles. The sisters lost a three-set thriller in their first match together at the tournament, but their presence attracted packed crowds.

Serena’s participation at the US Open remains uncertain.

The 44-year-old returned to competitive tennis in June after previously saying she had “evolved away” from the sport. She initially returned in doubles at Queen’s before receiving a wildcard to compete in Wimbledon singles.

At Wimbledon, Serena suffered a first-round defeat to Maya Joint and subsequently withdrew from the planned doubles partnership with Venus after sustaining a knee injury.

The sisters reunited at the Cincinnati Open, but Serena’s limited preparation means a decision over whether to compete in singles at the US Open is still to come.

There is one remaining wildcard available in the women’s singles draw, meaning Serena could potentially receive the opportunity to join Venus in the singles competition.

Tennis correspondent Russell Fuller suggested that the United States Tennis Association could be keeping the final wildcard available for Serena, although questions remain over whether she feels ready to compete in singles again.

“Serena has some decisions to make,” Fuller said. “The USTA appears to be holding a singles wildcard open for her, as the All England Club did ahead of Wimbledon.”

He added that Serena’s comeback has so far consisted of only three doubles matches and one singles appearance, with her Cincinnati outing coming seven weeks after her knee injury.

While Serena’s singles plans remain unclear, a return to doubles alongside Venus appears increasingly possible.

The sisters were scheduled to play together at Wimbledon before Serena’s injury forced them to withdraw. Wildcards for the US Open women’s doubles draw have not yet been announced.

Venus has enjoyed greater success in doubles in recent years. She reached the US Open quarter-finals last year alongside Canada’s Leylah Fernandez.

The 2026 US Open could therefore provide another chapter in one of tennis’ most famous sibling partnerships.

Venus became the oldest woman to compete in the US Open singles draw in 44 years when she played last year. She lost a three-set match to ninth seed Karolina Muchova but delivered an emotional news conference afterward, saying it was “nice to be free.”

Her career has also been marked by significant physical challenges. Williams was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome in 2011, while she discussed the impact of painful fibroids on her daily life in 2025.

Despite those challenges and her recent singles struggles, her continued presence at the US Open remains a major storyline.

Venus has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, including five Wimbledon championships and two US Open crowns. Serena, meanwhile, has won 23 major singles titles.

If Serena receives the final wildcard, the sisters could once again share the spotlight in New York — potentially in both singles and doubles.

The US Open women’s singles draw will begin on August 30, with Venus already confirmed to be part of the field. The question now is whether Serena will join her.

Analysis: Venus Williams’ US Open Wildcard Opens the Door for Another Williams Sisters Chapter

Venus Williams’ wildcard into the 2026 US Open singles draw is about far more than one player receiving an invitation. At 46, and after a difficult season in which she has yet to win a singles match, her inclusion raises questions about performance, legacy, preparation and the enduring appeal of one of tennis’ most influential figures.

From a purely competitive perspective, Venus enters the tournament with little momentum. She has lost all 10 of her singles matches this season and has not won a singles match since July 2025. Those numbers would normally make a player an unlikely candidate for a place in a Grand Slam main draw.

Yet Venus is not an ordinary player.

Her history at the US Open gives the wildcard considerable significance. She reached the final on her tournament debut in 1997 and won the title in 2000 and 2001. Her second championship came at the expense of her sister Serena, creating one of the defining moments in the history of women’s tennis.

Nearly three decades after her first appearance in New York, Venus is now returning at an age when most professional players have long since retired. Her longevity alone makes her participation remarkable.

The wildcard also reflects the wider value Venus brings to the tournament. Her matches continue to attract large crowds, demonstrating that her appeal extends beyond current rankings and recent results. Fans are not simply watching a player trying to win another tournament; they are witnessing a living piece of tennis history.

The biggest question, however, may be whether Serena will join her.

Serena’s comeback has created enormous interest since she returned to competition in June after several years away. Her Wimbledon singles appearance showed that she remains willing to test herself at the highest level, but her limited match preparation and recent knee injury make another singles appearance far from certain.

The possibility of both sisters competing at the US Open is therefore one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines.

A Williams sisters reunion would also make the doubles competition particularly attractive. Their return together in Cincinnati produced huge interest despite ending in defeat. If they receive a wildcard in New York, the emotional and commercial appeal could be enormous.

There is also an important distinction between nostalgia and genuine competition. Venus’ wildcard does not guarantee success. Her recent singles record suggests that winning matches will be extremely difficult, particularly against younger opponents who are playing regularly and competing at the peak of their physical abilities.

But Grand Slam sport is not always about predicting the most likely champion. Sometimes it is about moments, and Venus Williams has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to create them.

Her US Open return therefore represents a celebration of longevity as much as a sporting opportunity. If Serena receives the remaining wildcard, New York could become the setting for another unforgettable chapter in the Williams family story.

Whether that chapter ends with victories or early defeats, their presence will undoubtedly add another layer to the history of the US Open.