Venus Williams, aged 45, has been granted a wild-card entry to compete in the U.S. Open singles tournament, marking her comeback to Grand Slam tennis after a two-year hiatus. This makes her the oldest singles entrant at the event since Renee Richards at age 47 in 1981, as per the International Tennis Federation.
In addition to the singles event, Williams had already secured a wild-card spot for the upcoming mixed doubles competition as well. The singles matches are set to commence on August 24 at Flushing Meadows. Williams boasts an impressive record of seven major singles titles, including victories at the U.S. Open in 2000 and 2001, along with 14 women’s doubles titles, all achieved alongside her sister Serena, and two mixed doubles titles. Serena, who retired with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, last competed at the 2022 U.S. Open.
Having last participated in a Grand Slam event at the 2023 U.S. Open, Williams aims to make a strong return to the competitive scene. Her recent appearance at the DC Open marked her first match in 16 months, where she emphasized her focus on the present while leaving the door open for possible future tournaments. Despite facing challenges, including a surgery for uterine fibroids in the past year, Williams remains confident in her abilities and is determined to make a mark in the upcoming U.S. Open.
Notably, Williams also made headlines for her personal life, revealing her engagement to an Italian actor and sharing lighthearted remarks about the importance of health insurance coverage. Her participation in recent tournaments, including the Cincinnati Open, has showcased her resilience and passion for the sport.
At the U.S. Open, Williams will team up with Reilly Opelka for the mixed doubles event on August 19-20. Among the other notable players receiving wild-card entries for the tournament are Clervie Ngounoue, Julieta Pareja, Caty McNally, Valerie Glozman, Alyssa Ahn from the U.S., Caroline Garcia from France, and Talia Gibson from Australia in the women’s singles category. For the men’s singles, wild cards have been awarded to Brandon Holt, Nishesh Basavareddy, Tristan Boyer, Emilio Nava, Stefan Dostanic, Darwin Blanch from the U.S., Valentin Royer from France, and Tristan Schoolkate from Australia.