Venus Williams is set to return to the US Open singles draw after receiving a wildcard for this year’s tournament, with the possibility still open for her younger sister Serena to join her in New York.
The 46-year-old American has been awarded direct entry into the tournament, which begins on August 30, alongside former champion Sloane Stephens.
Venus made her US Open debut in 1997 and remarkably reached the singles final that year. She went on to win the title twice, in 2000 and 2001, and has seven Grand Slam singles titles to her name.
Her latest wildcard comes despite a difficult season in singles. Venus has lost all 10 of her singles matches in 2026 and has not recorded a singles victory since Washington in July 2025.
She has also played only one Grand Slam singles match this year, losing in the opening round of the Australian Open to Serbia’s Olga Danilovic.
Serena could join Venus in New York
The possibility of another Williams sisters reunion remains, with one women’s singles wildcard still available.
Serena Williams returned to competitive tennis in June after stepping away from the sport in 2022. The 23-time Grand Slam champion subsequently played singles at Wimbledon after receiving a wildcard.
Her comeback was interrupted by a knee injury suffered during her first-round defeat by Maya Joint.
Serena and Venus recently reunited on court at the Cincinnati Open, where they played doubles together for the first time in several years but suffered a three-set defeat.
The US Open has yet to announce its women’s doubles wildcards, while three places remain available in the revamped mixed doubles competition.
Venus still attracting major attention
Although Venus has struggled for singles victories, her return continues to generate significant interest.
She became the oldest women’s singles player to compete at the US Open in 44 years when she played last year’s tournament, eventually losing to ninth seed Karolina Muchova in three sets.
Venus has enjoyed greater success in doubles recently, reaching the US Open quarter-finals last year alongside Leylah Fernandez.
With Serena also potentially heading to New York, the tournament could provide another major stage for one of tennis’s most celebrated sibling partnerships.
The Williams sisters have contested nine Grand Slam singles finals against each other, with Venus defeating Serena in the 2001 US Open final to successfully defend her title.
