VENUS WILLIAMS RECEIVES US OPEN WILDCARD AMID LOSING STREAK

Venus Williams has been awarded a wildcard for the US Open women's singles draw, according to tournament organisers. The 46-year-old American is among the first batch of players granted wildcards for the 2026 event. Williams has not recorded a singles victory this season and has lost her last 11 to 14 consecutive matches, depending on the count used by different sources.

Tennis journalist Jon Wertheim called for formal wildcard guidelines following the decision. Wertheim, who has worked as a tennis writer and analyst for multiple decades, proposed capping the number of wildcards a player can receive annually and preventing players from receiving them after a specified number of consecutive defeats. He also suggested ending "reciprocal wildcards" between countries hosting major tournaments and preventing management groups from monopolising wildcard allocations for their clients. Williams' latest loss came at the Cincinnati Masters, where she was defeated 6-2, 6-2 by Emiliana Arango after receiving a wildcard entry to that tournament as well.

The decision has generated discussion among tennis followers about the allocation of wildcard spots. Some observers have questioned whether Williams' wildcard places could have gone to players with stronger current form. Williams is a two-time US Open singles champion and remains one of the sport's most decorated players, though she has not won a tour-level match this season and has failed to win even a set in hard-court tournaments so far this year.