Venus Williams at the US Open: Wild Card for Mixed Doubles with Opelka

Tennis legend Venus Williams is preparing for her return to the US Open next month, marking a milestone in her sporting career. Williams, along with Reilly Opelka, will compete in the mixed doubles tournament thanks to a special invitation.The announcement was made on Tuesday by the United States Tennis Association (USTA), revealing the 14 teams that will participate in the mixed doubles event, scheduled for August 19 and 20.The participation of Williams and Opelka is one of the six special invitations granted by the USTA.The tournament will feature the presence of prominent tennis players, including nine winners of Grand Slam singles titles and 14 players ranked in the top 10 of the WTA or ATP in singles.

Featured Teams at the US Open

• Emma Navarro and Jannik Sinner
• Paula Badosa and Jack Draper
• Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud
• Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz
• Amanda Anisimova and Holger Rune
• Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev
• Jessica Pegula and Tommy Paul
• Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev

In addition to Williams and Opelka, the teams that received special invitations include Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz, Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe, Olga Danilovic and Novak Djokovic, Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton, and last year’s US Open mixed doubles champions, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.A total of 16 couples will compete for the top prize of $1 million. The last two couples to receive special invitations will be announced soon.Williams may also request a wildcard entry for the singles draw, which will be announced the week of August 11.The tennis player achieved a victory in singles and doubles at the D.C. Open in Washington last week, marking her return to competition after her participation in the Miami Open in March 2024. She also received a wildcard invitation for the Cincinnati Open next month.Williams has seven Grand Slam singles titles, 14 in women’s doubles (all with her sister Serena) and two in mixed doubles.