NEW YORK (AP) — Venus Williams was given a wild card into the U.S. Open singles tournament on Tuesday and the tournament is keeping one on hold — perhaps in case her sister Serena wants to join her.
One year of digital access for only $205*
*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
NEW YORK (AP) — Venus Williams was given a wild card into the U.S. Open singles tournament on Tuesday and the tournament is keeping one on hold — perhaps in case her sister Serena wants to join her.
NEW YORK (AP) — Venus Williams was given a wild card into the U.S. Open singles tournament on Tuesday and the tournament is keeping one on hold — perhaps in case her sister Serena wants to join her.
Sloane Stephens, the 2017 U.S. Open champion, was one of six other women to receive a wild card, and the U.S. Tennis Association said the final one is still to be announced.
That almost certainly would go to Serena Williams, if she decides she wants to return to the tournament at 44.
Venus Williams received a wild card last year, returning to the tournament she won twice for the first time since 2023. The 46-year-old became the oldest entrant in singles at the tournament since Renee Richards played at 47 in 1981, according to the International Tennis Federation.
She has continued to play some singles matches and this week joined Serena for their first doubles tournament together since the 2022 U.S. Open. They lost Monday at the Cincinnati Open in a match tiebreaker against Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns.
The sisters planned to play at Wimbledon but had to withdraw after Serena injured her knee in her singles match. That marked her first time playing singles since the 2022 U.S. Open, and she indicated afterward that she hoped to keep competing if healthy.
Headlining the wild-card recipients on the men’s side were 39-year-old Gael Monfils, set to play his final Grand Slam tournament before retiring, and Australian Alexei Popyrin, who upset Novak Djokovic in 2024 on the way to the fourth round. One spot is also being held among the eight men’s wild cards.
Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.
Also receiving women’s wild cards were Carol Young Suh Lee, Reese Brantmeier, Thea Frodin, Leolia Jeanjean and Taylah Preston.
The other men receiving wild cards were two-time reigning NCAA singles champion Michael Zheng, Martin Damm, J.J. Wolf, Sebastian Gorzny and Jack Kennedy.
The main draw begins Aug. 30, with the qualifying tournaments being played earlier that week.
Source: Read the original article on www.winnipegfreepress.com
