The final two singles wildcards for the 2026 US Open have been confirmed, with Serena Williams, Grigor Dimitrov and Stan Wawrinka all missing out on the main draws. American world No.115 Patrick Kypson received the last men's wildcard, while the women's spot went to another player.
Wawrinka denied farewell at Arthur Ashe
Stan Wawrinka, who won the US Open in 2016 and is retiring at the end of the season, had hoped to play at a Grand Slam one last time in New York. The 41-year-old, now ranked 125th, will not get that chance, while Grigor Dimitrov, who has dropped to 138th in the ATP rankings, will also be absent. Both had been handed wildcards for Wimbledon earlier this summer.
Gael Monfils, however, has been invited to the tournament. The 39-year-old Frenchman, who is also set to retire imminently, has reached the semi-finals only once at Flushing Meadows.
Serena to play mixed doubles with Alcaraz
Although she has not taken a singles wildcard, Serena Williams will still appear at Flushing Meadows. The 45-year-old will team up with Carlos Alcaraz in the mixed doubles event next week, with £733,000 ($1million) on the line for the winning team. The pair, who have a combined 44 singles and doubles Grand Slam titles, are one of eight pairs handed a wildcard for the revamped event, which now takes place before the singles draw begins.
Serena returned to tennis in June after four years away and lost on her singles comeback at Wimbledon. She joined forces with her older sister Venus at the Cincinnati Open last week, where the pair lost in their first match in Ohio.
Another pairing sees Monfils team up with his wife, Elina Svitolina, while 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic and world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka form a blockbuster duo.
Record prize pot and full wildcard list
The US Open announced this week it will offer the biggest prize pot in Slam history with a 20 per cent increase on last year. A total pot of £79.2million ($108m) will see £4.03m ($5.5m) handed to the singles winners.
All 16 US Open wildcards:
Men's wildcards: Darwin Blanch, Michael Zheng, JJ Wolf, Sebastian Gorzny, Jack Kennedy, Patrick Kypson, Gael Monfils, Dane Sweeny
Women's wildcards: Sofia Kenin, Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens, Carol Young Suh Lee, Reese Brantmeier, Thea Frodin, Leolia Jeanjean, Taylah Preston
