Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, John Isner confirmed for US Open with wild cards
Teenagers Clervie Ngounoue and Alex Michelsen were also among the recipients announced Wednesday by the USTA.
Get ready New York. Venus Williams is officially returning to the Big Apple.
The seven-time major singles champion headlines the list of US Open wild cards announced by the USTA Wednesday. Williams is set to compete at Flushing Meadows for the 24th time, equaling her career appearances at Wimbledon and Roland Garros.
Now 43, Williams is in Cincinnati this week contesting the Western & Southern Open. The former world No. 1 knocked off 16th-ranked Veronika Kudermetova in the first round to notch her first Top 20 victory in four years.
Should Williams win her opening US Open match, it will mark her 80th career victory at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Joining the two-time event champion is Caroline Wozniacki, who was previously announced as a recipient in her comeback to the sport. Wozniacki, a two-time runner-up at the New York major, came out of retirement last week in Montreal after hanging up her racquet at the 2020 Australian Open.
During her time away from the court, the Dane became a mother to children Olivia and James and served as a commentator for Tennis Channel. Wozniacki won on her return on Aug. 8, defeating Kimberly Birrell.
Wimbledon junior champion Clervie Ngounoue will make her Grand Slam main draw debut. The Washington, D.C. native punched her ticket after triumphing at last weekend’s USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s National Championships in San Diego. Rounding out the recipients are US Open Wild Card Challenge winner Kayla Day, teenagers Ashlyn Krueger and Robin Montgomery, France’s Fiona Ferro and Australia’s Storm Hunter. Ferro and Hunter’s places are part of an wild card exchange agreement the USTA holds with the FFT and Tennis Australia, respectively.
On the men’s side, John Isner leads the eight selections. Isner, a two-time quarterfinalist, will contest his 17th main draw at his home major. The 38-year-old is currently ranked No. 106 and owns 488 career wins.
Rising 18-year-old Alex Michelsen, who reached the Newport final and captured his maiden ATP Challenger Tour crown in Chicago, will contest his inaugural Grand Slam tournament. He is the youngest player ranked inside the Top 150 of the ATP rankings at No. 138.
Reigning NCAA men’s singles title holder Ethan Quinn, US Open Wild Card Challenge champion Steve Johnson, repeat USTA Boys’ 18s National Championships winner Learner Tien, world No. 99 Michael Mmoh, Australian Rinky Hijikata and Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi make up the rest of the beneficiaries.