Venus Williams Gets Entry to 2022 US Open; Will Be Sister Serena's Final Tournament

The 2022 U.S. Open will be the final tennis tournament featuring both Williams sisters.

Venus Williams gained entry to Flushing Meadows as a wild card, according to the United States Tennis Association in an announcement Wednesday, allowing her to play in her sister Serena's retirement event.

Serena Williams announced her plans to retire from tennis following this year's U.S. Open in a Vogue article this month.

Venus Williams is a two-time U.S. Open champion, winning the event in 2000 and 2001. She also lost to Serena in the 2002 final, which was the last time she reached a final in the New York-based hardcourt major.

While she ranks among the most decorated players of her generation, Venus Williams' wild-card selection is one based far more on reputation than recent performance.

The 42-year-old has not won a singles match since her first-round match at Wimbledon last year. She has struggled with injuries and poor performance in recent years; she did not play a competitive singles match from August 2021 until her return this month.

Since getting back on the court, Williams has been handily defeated in both of her singles matches this year.

Despite her struggles, it would not have felt right if Venus was not in the field during Serena's final tournament. Serena has also not looked like herself since her own return to tennis in June, posting a 1-2 record.

The 23-time singles Grand Slam winner said in the Vogue article she plans on expanding her family and business ventures in retirement. The 40-year-old gave birth to a daughter, Olympia, in 2017.