The United States Tennis Association announced seven of the eight awarded wild cards for the women's singles draw at the upcoming US Open on Tuesday. While former champions Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens were among them, it was the absence of Serena Williams -- and a "To be announced" written in the final spot -- that is perhaps the most revelatory.
Serena, 44, made her return to competitive tennis earlier this summer after a nearly four-year absence. While first playing only doubles, she ultimately accepted a wild card to play singles at Wimbledon. In what appears to be a similar scenario, Wimbledon waited to announce its final women's wild-card recipient in order for Serena to make a decision as to whether she felt ready to play.
The 23-time major champion ultimately lost in her first round match against Maya Joint, 6-3, 7-6 (6), 3-6 and suffered a knee injury. She was then forced to withdraw from the doubles draw. She had been scheduled to play alongside Venus.
On Monday night, Serena played for the first time since the defeat at the All England Club more than six weeks ago. Teaming up with Venus -- for the first time since the US Open in 2022 -- the sisters fell to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns in the first round at the Cincinnati Open. Serena and Venus are expected to also play together at the US Open.
As singles qualifying begins on Monday in New York, Serena will likely have to decide whether she will play within the coming days.
Carol Young Suh Lee, Reese Brantmeier and Thea Frodin were the other Americans announced as wild-card recipients. Leolia Jeanjean and Taylah Preston were given reciprocal wild cards due to the USTA's agreement with the French and Australian federations.
The USTA also announced seven of the eight men's wild cards on Tuesday, headlined by Michael Zheng, the reigning two-time NCAA men's singles champion, and Gael Monfils, the former semifinalist and world No. 6 who will be retiring at the end of the season. Martin Damm, J.J. Wolf, Sebastian Gorzny, Jack Kennedy and Alexei Popyrin (through the reciprocal agreement with Tennis Australia) were also named.
Like on the women's side, the eighth spot was listed as "To be announced." Stan Wawrinka, the 2016 US Open champion who is also retiring this year, was notably not named but could receive the final spot.