Venus Williams, Stan Wawrinka, and Gael Monfils receive final US Open wildcards as careers wind down

Key points

• Venus Williams, 46, received a singles wildcard for the 2026 US Open, marking her 26th appearance in the main draw. She is currently ranked No. 621 and has not won a Grand Slam singles match since 2021.
• Stan Wawrinka, 41, received the final men's singles wildcard after a series of withdrawals and reallocations. The three-time Grand Slam champion is ending his professional career at the close of the 2026 season.
• Gael Monfils, 39, was awarded a men's wildcard via a reciprocal agreement with the French Tennis Federation (FFT). This will be the final Grand Slam of his career.
• Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, received a women's wildcard. She has recovered from a seven-month injury absence and currently ranks No. 240, having reached the third round in Cincinnati.
• The women's draw also includes Carol Young Suh Lee, Reese Brantmeier, Thea Frodin, Taylah Preston, and Leolia Jeanjean. The men's draw features Michael Zheng, J.J. Wolf, Sebastian Gorzny, Jack Kennedy, Dane Sweeny, and Darwin Blanch.

Background

Venus Williams has struggled with singles results in recent years, reaching the quarter-finals in doubles at the 2025 US Open but failing to advance past the second round in singles at the 2021 Wimbledon. Her sister Serena, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, played her last expected tournament in 2022 but returned to doubles in 2026 before withdrawing from Wimbledon due to a knee injury. Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils are both concluding their careers at the end of 2026, with Wawrinka having won the US Open in 2016 and Monfils reaching the 2008 final.

How outlets are covering it

BBC Sport emphasizes the emotional significance of the wildcards for aging veterans, noting Venus Williams' packed crowds in Cincinnati and her 2011 diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome. WTA Tennis focuses on the competitive context, highlighting Sloane Stephens' ranking rise from No. 1,098 to No. 240 and the inclusion of junior champions like Thea Frodin. US Open Tennis provides the logistical details of the men's draw, noting the reallocation of wildcards due to withdrawals by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Ethan Quinn, and Martin Damm, which ultimately led to Stan Wawrinka receiving the final spot.

Why it matters

These wildcards mark the final Grand Slam appearances for three-time champion Stan Wawrinka and former finalist Gael Monfils, closing a chapter on their careers. For Venus Williams, it offers a chance to break a 14-match losing streak in the main draw and potentially extend her legacy at age 46. The inclusion of young American talents like Darwin Blanch and Thea Frodin signals the USTA's continued investment in developing domestic players through Grand Slam opportunities.

What to watch

The 2026 US Open main draw will be played from August 30 to September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York. The qualifying tournament will take place from August 24 to August 27. Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils will conclude their professional careers at the end of the 2026 season, while Venus Williams will look to secure her first Grand Slam singles victory since 2021.