Venus Williams Gets Wild-Card Entry to 2026 US Open, Serena's Status for Singles TBD

The U.S. Open announced Tuesday it granted a wild-card entry to Venus Williams for the women's singles tournament.

Six other players, including 2017 champion Sloane Stephens, will be wild cards. The tournament has one more spot to fill, leading some to speculate officials could be waiting on Serena Williams to decide on her availability.

Venus is still waiting for her first singles win of 2026. She's 0-11 on the year, having most recently lost in straight sets to Emiliana Arango in the Cincinnati Open.

Her losing streak sits at 13 matches going back to last season. Her last win came against Peyton Stearns in the opening round of the Mubadala DC Open.

Still, the 46-year-old's career resume speaks for itself. She's a seven-time Grand Slam champion who won the U.S. Open in 2000 and 2001. As long as she wants to keep playing, there's likely to be a place for her in Queens every August.

Serena, meanwhile, is in the midst of her comeback after stepping away from the sport following the 2022 Open.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner has played just one singles match so far, losing to Maya Joint in the first round at Wimbledon. She has also competed in doubles, teaming up with Venus in the Cincinnati Open and losing a three-setter to Stearns and Marta Kostyuk.

The Williams sisters both said after the match they weren't too disappointed with the result. They were just happy to reunite on the court.

When it comes to a possible singles run for Serena, fans will keep their expectations in check. Her performance was tailing off when she retired the first time and now she's four years older.

Still, a clash involving the legend is bound to be one of the most anticipated of the first round if she enters the draw.