The 2026 US Open wild cards were announced a few hours ago, granting main draw entries to former champions Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens. While Williams’ inclusion honors her legacy as a two-time champion at Flushing Meadows, it has also sparked a debate among tennis fans online.
Many continue to admire her career and longevity, still playing at 46, but others question her current form with a 14-match losing streak and the decision to give main-draw spots to veteran players.
US Open Awards Wild Card to Venus Williams, Prompting Mixed Reactions Online
The 2026 US Open women’s wild cards list features a blend of former champions and rising stars. Headlining the main draw recipients are the seven-time Grand Slam winner and Stephens, who Carol Young Suh Lee, Reese Brantmeier, Thea Frodin, Leolia Jeanjean, and Taylah Preston join.
Williams received a wild card last year as well to return to the Grand Slam event she has won twice, marking her first appearance there since 2023. At 45, she became the oldest singles entrant at the tournament since Renée Richards, who was 47 in 1981.
Several fans acknowledged Williams’ icon status but questioned the tournament’s choice. An X user wrote, “Huge respect for her but there gotta be a point…”
Others were more direct about her recent tournament performances and how wild cards are distributed across the draw. A user wrote, “End this madness it’s so embarrassing for her to keep getting WCs and then losing in the round of 128 to some 137 ranked player,” while another added that “she seems to love the thrill of losing atm.”
Another fan suggested she shift her focus away from singles, noting, “No disrespect to Venus, but incoming loss in straight sets!! She should bow out of singles matches gracefully…”
Meanwhile, the USTA announced seven of the eight women’s main draw spots, leaving one “TBA” (To Be Announced) slot. This also has fueled fans’ speculation that the final spot is being held just in case 44-year-old Serena Williams decides to return to the tournament.
The Williams sisters recently reunited for doubles at the Cincinnati Open, marking their first tournament together since 2022. Serena and Venus lost to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns in a match tiebreak.
The duo had planned to reunite at Wimbledon, where they have won six doubles titles, but Serena, who came back to the tour after four years of retirement, injured her knee during a singles match, and they were forced to withdraw.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.