2026 US Open Wild Cards: Venus Williams, Gael Monfils Headline Singles Field

The 2026 US Open singles wild cards are taking shape, and there are some serious names headed directly into the main draw at Flushing Meadows.

Former US Open champions Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens headline the women’s selections, while longtime French star Gael Monfils and former Top 25 player Alexei Popyrin highlight the men’s wild cards.

The USTA announced seven of the eight main-draw wild cards on both the men’s and women’s sides, leaving one spot in each draw still to be announced.

And on the women’s side, that final opening immediately creates one enormous question.

Is Serena Williams getting the last wild card?

Read on for the 2026 US Open wild cards, beginning Aug 30.

2026 US Open Men’s Singles Wild Cards

• Martin Damm
• Michael Zheng
• J.J. Wolf
• Sebastian Gorzny
• Jack Kennedy
• Gael Monfils
• Alexei Popyrin
• TBA

Gael Monfils is easily the biggest name on the men’s list.

The former World No. 6 reached the US Open semifinals in 2016 and has already announced that the 2026 season will be his last on tour.

A wild card gives the 39-year-old another opportunity to play one of tennis’ biggest stages before closing the book on a remarkable career.

Alexei Popyrin also brings considerable experience. The Australian received his place through the reciprocal agreement with Tennis Australia.

The American group includes several interesting younger names.

Michael Zheng, the reigning two-time NCAA singles champion, leads that group, while Martin Damm Jr, Sebastian Gorzny, and Jack Kennedy add more young American talent to the field, and J.J. Wolf adds another recognizable name to the group with plenty of ATP experience.

2026 US Open Women’s Singles Wild Cards

• Venus Williams
• Sloane Stephens
• Carol Young Suh Lee
• Reese Branteamier
• Thea Frodin
• Leolia Jeanjean
• Taylah Preston
• TBA

Venus Williams will make another appearance at the tournament where she won consecutive singles titles in 2000 and 2001.

The 46-year-old seven-time Grand Slam champion also played the 2025 US Open, losing to Karolina Muchova in the opening round.

Sloane Stephens brings another former champion into the field.

The 2017 US Open winner has been working her way back after a foot injury disrupted her 2025 season.

The USTA also awarded wild cards to Carol Young Suh Lee, winner of the US Open Wild Card Challenge, Reese Brantmeier, winner of the American Collegiate Player Wild Card Playoff, and 17-year-old USTA Girls’ 18s national champion Thea Frodin.

France’s Leolia Jeanjean received a wild card through the French Tennis Federation reciprocal agreement, while Taylah Preston received Australia’s reciprocal wild card.

Is the Final Wild Card Being Held for Serena Williams?

Now we get to the fun part.

The USTA announced seven women and simply listed the eighth position as TBA.

That does not mean Serena Williams is officially returning to the US Open, but the speculation is impossible to ignore.

Serena recently returned to competitive tennis and has also resumed playing doubles alongside Venus.

Sky Sports reported Tuesday that the remaining wild card could potentially be held for Serena, although no decision has been announced.

So for now, Serena stays off the official list.

But if Williams wants one more trip to Arthur Ashe Stadium, there happens to be one very convenient opening waiting for her.

US Open Main Draw Begins August 30

The 2026 US Open singles main draw runs August 30 through September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.

Qualifying will take place August 24-27 during US Open Fan Week.

With one wild card still available in each singles draw, the field is not quite complete.

And until the USTA fills that final women’s spot, one name is going to dominate the conversation.

Serena Williams.