Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Venus Williams Receives Wildcard for 2026 US Open Return
Venus Williams has been invited to play in the 2026 U.S. Open.
This special invitation is called a wildcard.
Williams is 46 years old and has won seven major tennis titles.
She lost in the first round of last year’s U.S. Open.
Her sister, Serena Williams, recently played doubles with her at the Cincinnati Open, but they lost their first match.
Sloane Stephens also received an invitation while trying to return from a foot injury.
Gael Monfils received an invitation for the men’s tournament.
He has said he plans to retire at the end of the season.
Monfils will also play mixed doubles with his spouse, Elina Svitolina.
Two-time U.S. Open singles champion Venus Williams, 46, received a wildcard for the 2026 tournament.
Williams returns to Flushing Meadows after losing in last year’s first round to Karolina Muchova.
Sloane Stephens, the 2017 U.S. Open champion, received a wildcard while attempting a comeback from a foot injury.
Gael Monfils secured a men’s main-draw wildcard before his planned retirement at the end of the season.
Monfils and spouse Elina Svitolina also received a wildcard for the U.S. Open mixed doubles tournament.
- Who
- Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens, Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina received U.S. Open wildcards; Serena Williams also played doubles with Venus recently.
- What
- Wildcards were awarded for the U.S. Open singles, main-draw and mixed doubles tournaments.
- When
- The announcements were made on Monday, Tuesday and earlier this month; the tournament is the 2026 U.S. Open.
- Where
- The singles tournament will be held at Flushing Meadows.
- Why
- Williams is returning after a first-round exit, Stephens is pursuing an injury comeback, and Monfils is approaching his planned retirement.
- Venus Williams’ age
- 46
- Venus Williams’ Grand Slam titles
- Seven
- Williams’ U.S. Open singles titles
- Two
- Last year’s result
- Williams lost in the first round to Karolina Muchova.
- Sloane Stephens’ U.S. Open title
- 2017
- Gael Monfils’ retirement plan
- He has announced plans to retire at the end of the season.
- Remaining wildcard
- One women’s singles wildcard spot remains to be announced.
