Serena Williams will not compete in the US Open women’s singles tournament after the final wildcard was awarded to fellow American Sofia Kenin, ending speculation that the 23-time Grand Slam champion could make a surprise return to singles at Flushing Meadows.
The US Open organisers had earlier released their initial list of wildcard recipients without including Williams, leaving one spot open and fuelling hopes that the former world No. 1 could yet accept an invitation.
Those hopes have now been ended with Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, receiving the remaining wildcard.
Williams had previously kept her intentions regarding Wimbledon until the final stages before accepting a singles wildcard, leading to speculation that she could follow a similar path at her home Grand Slam.
However, the American appears to have decided against returning to singles competition in New York.
Mixed doubles return with Alcaraz
Although Williams will not feature in the singles draw, she will still have a presence at this year’s US Open.
She has been confirmed to compete in the tournament’s revamped mixed doubles competition alongside four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz.
The star-studded mixed doubles event is scheduled to take place during qualifying, from August 25 to 26.
The competition format was significantly shortened and redesigned last year as the US Open sought to create a more high-profile showcase for mixed doubles.
Williams' participation alongside Alcaraz will provide one of the biggest attractions of the event, pairing one of the greatest players in tennis history with the current generation's leading stars.
Will Serena reunite with Venus?
The possibility of Williams competing in women’s doubles remains one of the major questions surrounding her US Open plans.
Serena and her sister Venus Williams reunited on the doubles court in Cincinnati, marking their first appearance together in four years.
The sisters showed flashes of their familiar partnership but were ultimately beaten in a dramatic opening-round contest by Peyton Stearns and Marta Kostyuk, losing 2-6, 6-1, 8-10.
The defeat nevertheless provided an intriguing glimpse of the Williams sisters playing together again and immediately raised the possibility of another appearance at a Grand Slam.
Venus wants another Williams sisters reunion
Venus has previously indicated that she would welcome the opportunity to partner Serena again at the US Open.
When asked about the possibility at the beginning of the North American hard-court swing, Venus made clear that she would love to play doubles alongside her younger sister in New York.
A Serena-Venus reunion at the US Open would undoubtedly attract enormous attention, particularly given the sisters' extraordinary history at the tournament and their success as a doubles team.
The pair have won 14 Grand Slam women's doubles titles together, including four US Open crowns, making any return to the court at Flushing Meadows a potentially significant moment for fans.
For now, however, Serena's singles future at the US Open is settled.
The former world No. 1 will not chase a 24th Grand Slam singles title this year, but her appearance alongside Alcaraz in mixed doubles ensures that she will still take part in the New York spectacle.
Whether she adds women's doubles alongside Venus remains the final piece of the puzzle — and one that could give fans another chance to see the Williams sisters share a Grand Slam court.