Venus Williams granted wildcard entry to US Open main draw

Venus Wiliams secured entry into the main draw of her 25th US Open when she received a wildcard invitation Wednesday to play women's singles.

Williams, 45, already had received a wildcard invitation to play mixed doubles with Reilly Opelka.

Williams last appeared at the US Open in 2023 and last won a singles match at the event in 2019. Of her seven grand slam singles titles, two have come at Flushing Meadows, N.Y., (2000, 2001).

When she takes the court for the tournament later this month, Williams will become the oldest participant in women's singles at the US Open since Renee Richards played in 1981 at age 47.

Williams made her return to ATP play in July at the D.C. Open after not playing over the previous 16 months. Her first-round win over Peyton Stearns made her the oldest to win a singles match in 21 years. She also won a doubles match with partner Hailey Baptiste.

Williams lost her first-round match last week at the Cincinnati Open, 6-4, 6-4 to Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

--Field Level Media/Reuters