Four Former US Open Champions Receive Wild Cards for Flushing Meadows
The upcoming US Open will witness the return of four former champions, who have been awarded wild cards into the prestigious Grand Slam tournament. Dominic Thiem, Naomi Osaka, Stan Wawrinka, and Bianca Andreescu will join the star-studded field at Flushing Meadows, bringing with them a wealth of experience and past success.
Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, will make his final Grand Slam appearance at his beloved Flushing Meadows. The 30-year-old Austrian announced his retirement in May, citing persistent injuries. His triumph in 2020 was a remarkable feat, as he rallied from two sets down to defeat Alexander Zverev in a thrilling final played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Osaka, another former US Open champion, will be eager to rediscover her winning form in New York. The four-time major winner has struggled for consistency in recent times but recently returned to the Top 100. She will be hoping to improve upon her disappointing performances at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon this year.
Wawrinka, the 2016 US Open champion, is a veteran of the sport at 39 years old. The Swiss star has won three Grand Slam titles in his illustrious career, including his victory over Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows eight years ago. Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, became Canada’s first major singles champion with her magical run in New York. She will be looking to recapture that form and challenge for the title once again.
In addition to the former champions, several other players have earned wild cards into the US Open. Amanda Anisimova, who won the US Open Wild Card Challenge, will be hoping to build on her impressive runner-up finish in Toronto last week. American players McCartney Kessler, Alexa Noel, Iva Jovic, Chris Eubanks, Learner Tien, Zachary Svajda, and Matthew Forbes have also secured spots.
France’s Alexandre Muller and Chloe Paquet, along with Australia’s Tristan Schoolkate and Taylah Preston, complete the list of wild card recipients. These players were selected as part of reciprocal agreements between the USTA, the FFT, and Tennis Australia.
The US Open will take place from August 29th to September 11th at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. With a star-studded field and the return of former champions, the tournament promises to deliver thrilling tennis and unforgettable moments.
