Venus Williams given US Open wild card

Venus Williams has been given a wild card into the US Open singles draw, and the tournament is keeping one on hold - perhaps in case her sister Serena wants to join her. <p>Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, was one of six other women to receive a wild card, and the US Tennis Association said the final one is still to be announced.</p><p>That almost certainly would go to Serena Williams, if she decides she wants to return to the tournament at 44. Coverage of the US Open begins on Sunday August 30, live on <em>Sky Sports Tennis. </em></p><p>Venus received a wild card last year, returning to the tournament she won twice for the first time since 2023.</p><p>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.</p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/13574212/cincinnati-open-serena-williams-and-sister-venus-williams-lose-thriller-in-first-doubles-match-together-since-2022">Williams sisters lose tie-break thriller in first doubles reunion since 2022</a></strong></li><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/tennis/scores-schedule"><strong>Latest scores and results from tennis' Cincinnati Open</strong></a></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.sky.com/tv/sports?dcmp=Ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">Latest Sky Sports deals </a>or <a href="https://www.nowtv.com/watch-sky-sports-online?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">stream tennis with no contract</a></strong></li><li><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/ContentPromo" target="_blank"><strong>Download Sky Sports app for analysis, news and video</strong></a></li></ul><widget id="1"></widget><p>She has continued to play some singles matches and this week joined Serena for their first doubles tournament together since the 2022 US Open. They lost Monday at the Cincinnati Open in a tiebreaker against Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns.</p><p>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 US Open, and she indicated afterwards that she hoped to keep competing if healthy.</p> <widget id="2"></widget><p>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.</p><p>The main draw begins on Sunday August 30, with the qualifying tournaments being played earlier that week.</p><p><strong>Watch the ATP and WTA Tours live on Sky Sports. The US Open is also live on Sky Sports from August 30. <a href="https://www.nowtv.com/watch-sky-sports-online?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink">Stream tennis with NOW</a>.</strong></p>