US Open: Naomi Osaka, Dominic Thiem headline 16-strong wildcard list
The wildcards for the men’s and women’s singles at this year’s US Open have been released – and there are some big names on the list.
Perhaps none are bigger than four-time Grand Slam champion and former world No 1 Naomi Osaka, who will be back in the draw after missing the tournament last year due to maternity leave.
The Japanese is twice a champion at Flushing Meadows, defeating Serena Williams in the 2018 final and Victoria Azarenka two years later.
Osaka missed the entry cut-off for the draw though is now the world No 90, and will be looking to find some form after a disappointing loss in Cincinnati Open qualifying.
The 26-year-old posted an emotional message on social media earlier this week revealing her struggles with form currently.
“My biggest issue currently isn’t losses though, my biggest issue is that I don’t feel like I’m in my body,” she wrote.
“It’s a strange feeling, missing balls I shouldn’t miss, hitting balls softer than I remember I used to.”
All eyes will likely be on Osaka, though she is not the only former champion handed a wildcard into the women’s draw.
Also receiving a wildcard is Canadian star Bianca Andreescu, who beat Williams in the final to win the title back in 2019.
Andreescu has had ongoing issues in recent years and has not won a title since then, and is down at 166th in the WTA Rankings after only starting her 2024 season at the French Open back in May.
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Another notable wildcard in the women’s singles draw is Amanda Anisimova, who also missed the automatic cut-off for the main draw – but is back inside the top 50 after her recent resurgence.
Runs to the last eight in Washington and final in Toronto have fired her back up to world No 49, and the 22-year-old has been rewarded with a return to her home Slam.
Meanwhile, Dominic Thiem headlines the wildcards in the men’s singles draw.
The Austrian will be competing in the final Grand Slam of his career after confirming earlier this year he would retire at the end of the season, having failed to find his best form after a wrist injury in 2021.
Former world No 3 Thiem won his first and only major at the US Open champion in 2020, battling from two sets down to beat Alexander Zverev in the final.
Also returning thanks to a wildcard is Stan Wawrinka, nine years on from when he claimed the title in New York.
The Swiss star battled past Novak Djokovic to win his third and final major at the US Open in 2016 and will be making a 17th appearance in the main draw.
US Open men’s singles wildcards
Dominic Thiem – Austria
Stan Wawrinka – Switzerland
Christopher Eubanks – United States
Matthew Forbes – United States
Alexandre Muller – France
Tristan Schoolkate – Australia
Zachary Svajda – United States
Learner Tien – United States
US Open women’s singles wildcards
Naomi Osaka – Japan
Bianca Andreescu – Canada
Amanda Anisimova – United States
Iva Jovic – United States
McCartney Kessler – United States
Alexa Noel – United States
Chloe Paquet – France
Taylah Preston – Australia
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