The U.S. Open announced its initial list of wild-card recipients on Tuesday. Gael Monfils leads the way on the men’s side, while Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens are among the women who will be in the main draw at Flushing Meadows.
There is still one “to be announced” wild-card spot available for both the men and the women. That could ultimately lead to entries for Stan Wawrinka and Serena Williams.
U.S. Open men’s wild cards
Martin Damm, 22
Michael Zheng, 22
J.J. Wolf, 27 (U.S. Open Wild Card Challenge winner)
Sebastian Gorzny, 22 (American Collegiate Player Wild Card Playoff winner)
Jack Kennedy, 18 (USTA Boys’ 18s Nationals winner)
Gael Monfils, 39 (reciprocal agreement with the French Tennis Federation)
Alexei Popyrin, 27 (reciprocal agreement with Tennis Australia)
U.S. Open women’s wild cards
Venus Williams, 46
Sloane Stephens, 33
Carol Young Suh Lee, 24 (U.S. Open Wild Card Challenge winner)
Reese Brantmeier, 21 (American Collegiate Player Wild Card Playoff winner)
Thea Frodin, 17 (USTA Girls’ 18s Nationals winner)
Leolia Jeanjean, 31 (reciprocal agreement with the French Tennis Federation)
Taylah Preston, 20 (reciprocal agreement with Tennis Australia)
Main-draw competition in New York will be played August 30-September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The qualifying tournament will be played August 24-27 on the National Tennis Center’s field courts, with all qualifying matches free to attend during Fan Week.
Dimitrov and Draper likely in qualies
I would have preferred Dimitrov got a wild card over Popyrin. Or that if they had to give an Australian wildcard, it go to Kokkinakis. Both Dimitrov and Kokkinakis are returning from injury. Dimitrov definitely deserves it after being 2:0 up over Sinner when he got injured at last year’s Wimbledon; Kokkinakis reliably puts on a fantastic show in R1 grand slam.
Wawrinka shouldn’t have to play qualifying either on his goodbye tour.
one has to be Aussie
the last one should go to Stan
It’s a joke really a 47 year old Venus gets a wildcard despite her 13 match losing streak. She should have stopped playing many many years ago. Her level isn’t even good enough to play challengers. Arango demolished her 6-2 6-2 this week. If that doesn’t tell her to stop quit immediately I wonder what will. The icing on the cake her Sister wants a wildcard of her own attempting a comeback at 45. What purpose does it serve exactly? Serena was in terminal decline for years before her eventual retirement in 2022. I fail to see how a 4 year haitus exactly help her roll back the years. She is 45 now and watching her compete at Wimbledon made it cryatal clear that she is slow, sluggish and only a pale shadow of her glorious past.
I would guess that’s partly public opinion and money talking. Even Venus Williams on a long losing streak seems to draw more interest and more of a crowd than a young as yet unknown who deserves a break, and that is a real pity. Personally I think it would show some integrity if Venus Williams stopped accepting wildcards, but I have always had the impression that the Williams sisters are pretty narcissistic.
Federer and Nadal had the sanity to not only retire at the right time but also stick to their decision. Serena’s comeback is just a unnecessary gimmick.
No wild card for Wawrinka but there is one for Monfils. Stan a 3 time major winner won in New York too. With all due respect Monfils was more an entertainer and never threatened to win. Stan is a future Hall of Famer he shouldn’t be denied a Wild card in his last year. On the other hand we have a 47 year old Venus on a 13 match losing streak getting another undeserved wild card.
how did Blanch and Kypson get one?
Kypson is 1-12 vs top 100 this year.
How? The same way Hewitt gets wildcards in Australia (etc) I guess.
And where the heck is Dimitrov? Has he pulled out sick or not received a wildcard?
I agree with Anon re Stan Wawrinka and also re Venus Williams. Completely misguided decisions from any perspective of fairness.