Venus Back at 46, Will Serena Join Her? US Open Keeps One Wild Card Open

Venus Williams will return to the US Open singles draw at the age of 46, after receiving a wild card for the season's final Grand Slam, while the possibility of a remarkable comeback by her younger sister Serena Williams has added another layer of intrigue to the tournament.

The US Tennis Association announced its initial list of wild-card recipients on Tuesday, with one women's singles spot still being kept open. That decision has fuelled speculation that the final place could go to Serena, 44, should she decide to return to the tournament where she last played singles in 2022.

Venus, a two-time US Open singles champion, received a wild card last year as well, marking her first appearance at the tournament since 2023. At 46, she continues to defy the usual boundaries of professional tennis and remains one of the sport's most enduring competitors.

The veteran has continued to play selected singles events and this week reunited with Serena in doubles at the Cincinnati Open, their first tournament together since the 2022 US Open. The sisters were beaten by Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns in a match tiebreaker.

Their planned Wimbledon appearance earlier this season was cut short after Serena suffered a knee injury during her singles match, forcing the sisters to withdraw. Serena, however, had indicated that she hoped to continue competing if she remained fit.

The women's wild-card list also includes 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, along with Carol Young Suh Lee, Reese Brantmeier, Thea Frodin, Leolia Jeanjean and Taylah Preston.

On the men's side, 39-year-old Gael Monfils received a wild card and is set to play his final Grand Slam before retirement. Australia's Alexei Popyrin, who stunned Novak Djokovic at the US Open in 2024 en route to the fourth round, also earned an entry.

The main draw begins on August 30, with qualifying scheduled earlier in the week. But with one women's wild card still unclaimed, the biggest question surrounding the tournament may be whether Venus will walk onto the US Open courts alone, or alongside Serena for another unforgettable chapter in the sisters' legendary careers.