The US Open will have two of tennis’ most recognisable stars back in the singles spotlight after Venus Williams and Gael Monfils were handed wildcards for the 2026 tournament in New York.
Williams, a two-time US Open champion and seven-time Grand Slam singles winner, will return to Flushing Meadows as she continues her latest comeback. The 46-year-old has remained a major attraction on the WTA Tour despite being well into the latter stages of her career. She returned to competitive tennis in 2025 after a 16-month absence and became the oldest player to win a WTA singles match since Martina Navratilova in 2004 when she defeated Peyton Stearns in Washington.
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The American has also been handed wildcards at several tournaments during 2026, including Indian Wells, Miami and Toronto. Her US Open appearance will add another chapter to a remarkable career that includes seven Grand Slam singles titles and five Wimbledon crowns.
MONFILS SET FOR EMOTIONAL US OPEN APPEARANCE
Monfils, meanwhile, will make his return to the US Open main draw as he approaches the end of his professional career. The 39-year-old Frenchman announced last year that the 2026 season would be his final one on the ATP Tour. A 13-time tour-level champion, Monfils reached a career-high No.6 in the world rankings in 2016.
The charismatic Frenchman has already received wildcards at major events during his farewell season, including Roland Garros, and was also handed a main-draw wildcard at the Canadian Masters in Montreal.
Monfils will be joined in the men’s main draw by Alexei Popyrin, while rising American players Michael Zheng, Martin Damm, JJ Wolf, Sebastian Gorzny and Jack Kennedy have also been awarded wildcards. Former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori, meanwhile, has received a wildcard for qualifying.
On the women’s side, Williams headlines a group that includes fellow former US Open champion Sloane Stephens, Carol Young Suh Lee, Reese Brantmeier, Thea Frodin, Leolia Jeanjean and Taylah Preston.
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 Meadows. The qualifying tournament will run from August 24-27, with qualifying matches free to attend during Fan Week.
US Open 2026 wildcards
Women: Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens, Carol Young Suh Lee, Reese Brantmeier, Thea Frodin, Leolia Jeanjean, Taylah Preston
Men: Gael Monfils, Alexei Popyrin, Michael Zheng, Martin Damm, JJ Wolf, Sebastian Gorzny, Jack Kennedy
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