Wildcards announced for the US Open: Venus Williams set to make return to Grand Slam action

The concluding Grand Slam of the year is swiftly commencing, with the US Open set to start on the 24th August and go on till the 8th September. With it fast approaching, the wildcards for the event have been released, and the main talking point is the return of Venus Williams.

She won the event back in 2000 and 2001, and is hoping to turn back the clock and put on a show for the expectant and hopeful American crowd. The seven-time Grand Slam champion is one of 12 Americans who have been fastracked into the main draw with a wildcard, along with two players who reside in France and two Australians.

Last year's event was dominated by the world number one ranking players Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, both defeating an American in the final in straight sets. Sabalenka, who was the number two in the world at the time, dropped just one set in the process of claiming her third Grand Slam. She overcame talents such as Zheng Qiwen, Emma Navarro and Jessica Pegula in the final.

Sinner also had a tough run to the final, getting the better of Tommy Paul, former champion Daniil Medvedev and Jack Draper ahead of a final clash with American number one Taylor Fritz. It was a tight final, and despite Fritz pushing him, Sinner had too much and won his second Grand Slam. Since then, he has gone on to taste success at the Australian Open for a second time, along with Wimbledon.

It would most likely be a step too far for any of the wildcards if they face off against one of these stars, but Kim Clijsters proved that a wildcard can go onto do great things, Coming out of retirement, she took full advantage at the 2009 US Open, reaching the final before defeating Caroline Wozniacki to claim her second US Open triumph. She would come out on top the following year as well.

The big name in the wildcards is obviously Venus Williams. The 45-year-old returned to the game in Washington, having received a wildcard for the event. Whilst winning on her return to tennis, she could not progress past the second round in either the singles or the doubles. However, the two-time US Open champion is ready to play at her home championships for the first time since 2023. She becomes the oldest entry in a single tournament at Flushing Meadows since 47-year-old Renee Richards competed back in 1981.

Before she returns to singles action, she will team up with Reilly Opelka in the mixed doubles event, which is due to be held between 19th and 20th August. She has already racked up some big crowds on her return to tennis, and it is likely that she will get a lot more attention ahead of

Former number four in the world, Caroline Garcia, has also been given a wildcard. The 2022 semi-finalist has announced that she will retire at the end of the campaign, with possibly one last chance to dazzle her fans on court, at least on the Grand Slam stage.

Along with them, Americans Clervie Ngounoue, Julieta Pareja Caty, McNally, Valerie Glozman, and Alyssa Ahn have all been given access to the tournament, while Australian Talia Gibson makes up the final wildcard entry for the WTA.

On the men's side, Americans Brandon Holt, Nishesh Basavareddy, Tristan Boyer, Emilio Nava, Stefan Dostanic, and Darwin Blanch were granted wildcards, while Frenchman Valentin Royer and Aussie Tristan Schoolkate will enter the main draw as well.

These wildcards will have to wait until 21st August to see who they are playing against, with the main draw kicking off three days later.