Williams set to make US Open comeback at 45
The 2000 and 2001 US Open champion, who also has five Wimbledon titles to her name, will be the oldest competitor in the women's singles since 1981 when a 47-year-old Renee Richards lost in the first round.
The US Tennis Association had already given Williams a wildcard entry to next week's revamped mixed doubles competition, but now she will play both, with the singles set to start on August 24.
Williams has not won a singles match at Flushing Meadows since 2019, and has only just made a return to the sport after having a year off.
She won a match at the DC Open before losing in the first round in Cincinnati last week.
'Coming off of this match, I feel amazing,' Williams said after the loss in Cincinnati.
'So that means that in this next period I won't have to fix injuries. Now I can work on power and speed instead of trying to just make sure I'm not hurt going into the tournament.'
Meantime emerging Aussie talents Tristan Schoolkate and Talia Gibson have been rewarded for breakout years with wildcards into the main draw of the US Open, bringing the Australian tally to 14.
The final major of the year gets underway on Sunday, August 24 (local time), with qualifying starting next Monday. Talia Gibson is delighted to be included in the main draw of the US Open at Flushing Meadows. Credit: AAP
But the young guns can skip that phase after getting direct entry into the New York City tournament, with world No.8 Alex de Minaur leading the Australian charge.
West Australian Schoolkate broke into the ATP top 100 for the first time last week following a string of strong results, including a stand-out victory over world No.47 Joao Fonseca at the Toronto Masters — his first win over a top-50 opponent.
Now ranked 97, the 24-year-old just missed direct entry, ranked No.110 at the July 14 entry deadline.
Reaching the second round of the 2024 US Open, Schoolkate also made three Challenger finals this season, claiming titles in Brisbane and Ilkley, UK.
'It's such an amazing experience to play in the main draws of the grand slams — it's what we as players work towards, week in, week out so I'm excited and ready for the challenge in New York,' Schoolkate said.
Gibson, 21, has also enjoyed a breakthrough year, peaking at world No.107 last month.
Also from WA, Gibson recently captured her 10th ITF singles title at the W75 event in Granby, Canada.
After securing her first grand slam main-draw win at the Australian Open, coming from a set down in a memorable debut at Melbourne Park, Gibson made her maiden Wimbledon main-draw appearance this year achieved by winning three rounds of qualifying.
'This is an incredibly rewarding acknowledgement for all the hard work my team and I have been putting in and for the results I've had this year,' Gibson said of the Tennis Australia wildcard.
'I can't wait to get out there and give it my very best and make everyone proud.'
Schoolkate and Gibson will join 12 other Australians - eight men and four women - in the main draw.
A further seven men and nine women will represent Australia in qualifying.
Among other wildcards Brandon Holt, son of Tracy Austin, who won the women's singles in 1979 and 1981, received one for the men's event.
- With AAP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
13 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Phelps slams 'weak' US swim leadership, urges reform
Michael Phelps has launched a scathing attack on USA Swimming's leadership, the 23-time Olympic gold medallist branding the body weak and demanding sweeping reforms after what he sees as years of organisational decline. The 40-year-old American, the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals, delivered his broadside while revealing he might not want his four young sons competing in the sport given the current state of swimming in the US. Phelps traced his frustrations back through his competitive career, saying he often felt that his voice went unheard, he was "told to be grateful for the chance to compete", and that it was more important to stay quiet and to keep the peace. "First, I must be clear that I have the utmost respect for the U.S. swimmers that competed at the World Championships," Phelps, who retired in 2016, wrote in a lengthy Instagram statement. "My criticism is in no way directed at them - I know how hard they work and how honoured they are to represent the U.S. National Team. My criticism is about the system, its leadership, and how it's failing. "There have always been cracks in the system but in the last nine years, I've seen those cracks grow." Phelps compared the success of the US swim team at the Rio Olympics in 2016, when they won 33 medals, to the Paris Games last year, when they slumped to their lowest medal haul in the pool (28) since the 2004 Games in Athens. He also revealed that he sent a letter to USA Swimming this year addressing his "frustrations with the current state of the sport", which was shared with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee. He said he had the support of former Olympic medallists, world record holders, coaches and current and former staff, but added that the letter "seemed to fall on deaf ears". "I've asked myself what's changed in our sport and the answer is clear ... this isn't on the athletes as they continue to do the best they can with what they've been given. This is on the leadership of USA Swimming," he said. "Poor leadership trickles down and can impact an organization at every level. "Money is a factor. But poor operational controls and weak leadership are a cornerstone of the sport's problems." Phelps proposed a series of reforms, including an independent review of USA Swimming's board and its organisation, improving athlete services and strengthening grassroots efforts to reverse membership decline and foster growth. "I offer up my service to be a resource in these proposed initial steps and I am hopeful that the USA Swimming community will accept my offer," he said. Michael Phelps has launched a scathing attack on USA Swimming's leadership, the 23-time Olympic gold medallist branding the body weak and demanding sweeping reforms after what he sees as years of organisational decline. The 40-year-old American, the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals, delivered his broadside while revealing he might not want his four young sons competing in the sport given the current state of swimming in the US. Phelps traced his frustrations back through his competitive career, saying he often felt that his voice went unheard, he was "told to be grateful for the chance to compete", and that it was more important to stay quiet and to keep the peace. "First, I must be clear that I have the utmost respect for the U.S. swimmers that competed at the World Championships," Phelps, who retired in 2016, wrote in a lengthy Instagram statement. "My criticism is in no way directed at them - I know how hard they work and how honoured they are to represent the U.S. National Team. My criticism is about the system, its leadership, and how it's failing. "There have always been cracks in the system but in the last nine years, I've seen those cracks grow." Phelps compared the success of the US swim team at the Rio Olympics in 2016, when they won 33 medals, to the Paris Games last year, when they slumped to their lowest medal haul in the pool (28) since the 2004 Games in Athens. He also revealed that he sent a letter to USA Swimming this year addressing his "frustrations with the current state of the sport", which was shared with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee. He said he had the support of former Olympic medallists, world record holders, coaches and current and former staff, but added that the letter "seemed to fall on deaf ears". "I've asked myself what's changed in our sport and the answer is clear ... this isn't on the athletes as they continue to do the best they can with what they've been given. This is on the leadership of USA Swimming," he said. "Poor leadership trickles down and can impact an organization at every level. "Money is a factor. But poor operational controls and weak leadership are a cornerstone of the sport's problems." Phelps proposed a series of reforms, including an independent review of USA Swimming's board and its organisation, improving athlete services and strengthening grassroots efforts to reverse membership decline and foster growth. "I offer up my service to be a resource in these proposed initial steps and I am hopeful that the USA Swimming community will accept my offer," he said. Michael Phelps has launched a scathing attack on USA Swimming's leadership, the 23-time Olympic gold medallist branding the body weak and demanding sweeping reforms after what he sees as years of organisational decline. The 40-year-old American, the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals, delivered his broadside while revealing he might not want his four young sons competing in the sport given the current state of swimming in the US. Phelps traced his frustrations back through his competitive career, saying he often felt that his voice went unheard, he was "told to be grateful for the chance to compete", and that it was more important to stay quiet and to keep the peace. "First, I must be clear that I have the utmost respect for the U.S. swimmers that competed at the World Championships," Phelps, who retired in 2016, wrote in a lengthy Instagram statement. "My criticism is in no way directed at them - I know how hard they work and how honoured they are to represent the U.S. National Team. My criticism is about the system, its leadership, and how it's failing. "There have always been cracks in the system but in the last nine years, I've seen those cracks grow." Phelps compared the success of the US swim team at the Rio Olympics in 2016, when they won 33 medals, to the Paris Games last year, when they slumped to their lowest medal haul in the pool (28) since the 2004 Games in Athens. He also revealed that he sent a letter to USA Swimming this year addressing his "frustrations with the current state of the sport", which was shared with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee. He said he had the support of former Olympic medallists, world record holders, coaches and current and former staff, but added that the letter "seemed to fall on deaf ears". "I've asked myself what's changed in our sport and the answer is clear ... this isn't on the athletes as they continue to do the best they can with what they've been given. This is on the leadership of USA Swimming," he said. "Poor leadership trickles down and can impact an organization at every level. "Money is a factor. But poor operational controls and weak leadership are a cornerstone of the sport's problems." Phelps proposed a series of reforms, including an independent review of USA Swimming's board and its organisation, improving athlete services and strengthening grassroots efforts to reverse membership decline and foster growth. "I offer up my service to be a resource in these proposed initial steps and I am hopeful that the USA Swimming community will accept my offer," he said. Michael Phelps has launched a scathing attack on USA Swimming's leadership, the 23-time Olympic gold medallist branding the body weak and demanding sweeping reforms after what he sees as years of organisational decline. The 40-year-old American, the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals, delivered his broadside while revealing he might not want his four young sons competing in the sport given the current state of swimming in the US. Phelps traced his frustrations back through his competitive career, saying he often felt that his voice went unheard, he was "told to be grateful for the chance to compete", and that it was more important to stay quiet and to keep the peace. "First, I must be clear that I have the utmost respect for the U.S. swimmers that competed at the World Championships," Phelps, who retired in 2016, wrote in a lengthy Instagram statement. "My criticism is in no way directed at them - I know how hard they work and how honoured they are to represent the U.S. National Team. My criticism is about the system, its leadership, and how it's failing. "There have always been cracks in the system but in the last nine years, I've seen those cracks grow." Phelps compared the success of the US swim team at the Rio Olympics in 2016, when they won 33 medals, to the Paris Games last year, when they slumped to their lowest medal haul in the pool (28) since the 2004 Games in Athens. He also revealed that he sent a letter to USA Swimming this year addressing his "frustrations with the current state of the sport", which was shared with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee. He said he had the support of former Olympic medallists, world record holders, coaches and current and former staff, but added that the letter "seemed to fall on deaf ears". "I've asked myself what's changed in our sport and the answer is clear ... this isn't on the athletes as they continue to do the best they can with what they've been given. This is on the leadership of USA Swimming," he said. "Poor leadership trickles down and can impact an organization at every level. "Money is a factor. But poor operational controls and weak leadership are a cornerstone of the sport's problems." Phelps proposed a series of reforms, including an independent review of USA Swimming's board and its organisation, improving athlete services and strengthening grassroots efforts to reverse membership decline and foster growth. "I offer up my service to be a resource in these proposed initial steps and I am hopeful that the USA Swimming community will accept my offer," he said.
The Advertiser
38 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
'Rage' drives 'Punky' as end looms for Hawthorn great
Luke Breust may, or may not, be familiar with the work of iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. They certainly share the same sentiment, with the three-time Hawthorn premiership forward determined to "rage, rage against the dying of the light". The 34-year-old, a two-time All-Australian and one of the best small forwards of his generation, announced on Thursday this season will be his last. Former teammate and current Hawks coach Sam Mitchell has no doubt Breust will stay in the game, probably as a coach, but there is unfinished business, with the Hawks seventh on the ladder and yet to confirm a finals berth. "He spoke really nicely and gently (to teammates) ... until we started talking about the rest of the season. He had just that little bit of rage behind his eyes," Mitchell said. "He's still burning to make sure he can achieve as much and help us achieve as much as we can." Known as "Punky", Breust is the game's ultimate cult figure and Mitchell added he was the rarest of beasts - an AFL player with no enemies. Hawks fans sound as though they are booing when they roar his name after he kicks a goal. Breust was in tears several times when he told teammates that his time will soon be up. He later noted half his life has been spent at Hawthorn. "They completely changed my life for the better," Breust said of the Hawks. "The relationships and the memories ... I will cherish forever. "The three minutes after the final siren goes on grand final day, you'll never feel anything like that in your life." Among the many people Breust thanked, he noted how Mitchell took him under his wing when he first came to the club. "I don't know what the hell you saw in me," Breust said. He also singled out Jack Gunston, who shared All-Australian honours with him in 2018. The two forwards are the only veterans on their list to play in Hawthorn premierships. Breust and Gunston played in the 2012-15 grand finals, winning three flags. "(We are) the biggest rivals you could imagine, but also great mates at the same time ... he's been so important to my career," Breust said. The small forward returned to the senior team for last week's win over Collingwood for a career total of 306 games. He is among nine Hawks to reach 300 games, and his 307th this Saturday in the game against Melbourne at the MCG will put him equal with Mitchell at third on the club list. Breust has kicked 552 goals, seventh-highest at Hawthorn, and made the 2014 and 2018 All-Australian teams. But his impact at Hawthorn goes well beyond his significant on-field exploits. "If you could make your culture around the type of club you want to be and the type of person you want to be, Luke Breust is perfect,' Mitchell said. Hailing from the small NSW country town of Temora, Breust proved a bargain-basement selection when the Hawks recruited him with the No.47 pick in the 2008 rookie draft. He did not make his debut until 2011. Mitchell said for all the support Breust received when he was starting, he has paid that forward 10-fold. "I said to the players 'who has he helped?' Every player put his hand up, no hesitation, straight away," he added. Luke Breust may, or may not, be familiar with the work of iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. They certainly share the same sentiment, with the three-time Hawthorn premiership forward determined to "rage, rage against the dying of the light". The 34-year-old, a two-time All-Australian and one of the best small forwards of his generation, announced on Thursday this season will be his last. Former teammate and current Hawks coach Sam Mitchell has no doubt Breust will stay in the game, probably as a coach, but there is unfinished business, with the Hawks seventh on the ladder and yet to confirm a finals berth. "He spoke really nicely and gently (to teammates) ... until we started talking about the rest of the season. He had just that little bit of rage behind his eyes," Mitchell said. "He's still burning to make sure he can achieve as much and help us achieve as much as we can." Known as "Punky", Breust is the game's ultimate cult figure and Mitchell added he was the rarest of beasts - an AFL player with no enemies. Hawks fans sound as though they are booing when they roar his name after he kicks a goal. Breust was in tears several times when he told teammates that his time will soon be up. He later noted half his life has been spent at Hawthorn. "They completely changed my life for the better," Breust said of the Hawks. "The relationships and the memories ... I will cherish forever. "The three minutes after the final siren goes on grand final day, you'll never feel anything like that in your life." Among the many people Breust thanked, he noted how Mitchell took him under his wing when he first came to the club. "I don't know what the hell you saw in me," Breust said. He also singled out Jack Gunston, who shared All-Australian honours with him in 2018. The two forwards are the only veterans on their list to play in Hawthorn premierships. Breust and Gunston played in the 2012-15 grand finals, winning three flags. "(We are) the biggest rivals you could imagine, but also great mates at the same time ... he's been so important to my career," Breust said. The small forward returned to the senior team for last week's win over Collingwood for a career total of 306 games. He is among nine Hawks to reach 300 games, and his 307th this Saturday in the game against Melbourne at the MCG will put him equal with Mitchell at third on the club list. Breust has kicked 552 goals, seventh-highest at Hawthorn, and made the 2014 and 2018 All-Australian teams. But his impact at Hawthorn goes well beyond his significant on-field exploits. "If you could make your culture around the type of club you want to be and the type of person you want to be, Luke Breust is perfect,' Mitchell said. Hailing from the small NSW country town of Temora, Breust proved a bargain-basement selection when the Hawks recruited him with the No.47 pick in the 2008 rookie draft. He did not make his debut until 2011. Mitchell said for all the support Breust received when he was starting, he has paid that forward 10-fold. "I said to the players 'who has he helped?' Every player put his hand up, no hesitation, straight away," he added. Luke Breust may, or may not, be familiar with the work of iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. They certainly share the same sentiment, with the three-time Hawthorn premiership forward determined to "rage, rage against the dying of the light". The 34-year-old, a two-time All-Australian and one of the best small forwards of his generation, announced on Thursday this season will be his last. Former teammate and current Hawks coach Sam Mitchell has no doubt Breust will stay in the game, probably as a coach, but there is unfinished business, with the Hawks seventh on the ladder and yet to confirm a finals berth. "He spoke really nicely and gently (to teammates) ... until we started talking about the rest of the season. He had just that little bit of rage behind his eyes," Mitchell said. "He's still burning to make sure he can achieve as much and help us achieve as much as we can." Known as "Punky", Breust is the game's ultimate cult figure and Mitchell added he was the rarest of beasts - an AFL player with no enemies. Hawks fans sound as though they are booing when they roar his name after he kicks a goal. Breust was in tears several times when he told teammates that his time will soon be up. He later noted half his life has been spent at Hawthorn. "They completely changed my life for the better," Breust said of the Hawks. "The relationships and the memories ... I will cherish forever. "The three minutes after the final siren goes on grand final day, you'll never feel anything like that in your life." Among the many people Breust thanked, he noted how Mitchell took him under his wing when he first came to the club. "I don't know what the hell you saw in me," Breust said. He also singled out Jack Gunston, who shared All-Australian honours with him in 2018. The two forwards are the only veterans on their list to play in Hawthorn premierships. Breust and Gunston played in the 2012-15 grand finals, winning three flags. "(We are) the biggest rivals you could imagine, but also great mates at the same time ... he's been so important to my career," Breust said. The small forward returned to the senior team for last week's win over Collingwood for a career total of 306 games. He is among nine Hawks to reach 300 games, and his 307th this Saturday in the game against Melbourne at the MCG will put him equal with Mitchell at third on the club list. Breust has kicked 552 goals, seventh-highest at Hawthorn, and made the 2014 and 2018 All-Australian teams. But his impact at Hawthorn goes well beyond his significant on-field exploits. "If you could make your culture around the type of club you want to be and the type of person you want to be, Luke Breust is perfect,' Mitchell said. Hailing from the small NSW country town of Temora, Breust proved a bargain-basement selection when the Hawks recruited him with the No.47 pick in the 2008 rookie draft. He did not make his debut until 2011. Mitchell said for all the support Breust received when he was starting, he has paid that forward 10-fold. "I said to the players 'who has he helped?' Every player put his hand up, no hesitation, straight away," he added.
Sydney Morning Herald
43 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australian tennis player hit with 10-month ban for anti-doping breach over vitamin infusion
A second Australian tennis player in four months has been hit with a lengthy suspension for breaching the sport's anti-doping rules over intravenous infusion of vitamins. Thomas Fancutt, 30, was provisionally suspended in April but the sport's anti-doping watchdog, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), hit the doubles player with a 10-month ban on Tuesday – a suspension which ends in January before the Australian Open. Fancutt has admitted to using a 'prohibited method' as defined by the ITIA's anti-doping program. Athletes are permitted to use IV drips, but only when fluid is below a certain threshold and within a specific time period. Fancutt's case follows that of Australia's doubles champion Max Purcell who was hit with an 18-month ban in April for breaching the anti-doping rules after ITIA investigators found messages on his mobile phone in which he discussed ways he could justify receiving intravenous infusions. Two-time grand slam doubles champion Purcell was also found by the ITIA to have used a 'prohibited method' – by receiving infusions of more than 500 millilitres in December 2023. In Fancutt's case, the ITIA said the player had received an intravenous infusion over the accepted limit in December, 2024. 'The ITIA sent the player a notice of a potential anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) on 7 March 2025,' the agency said in a statement. 'On 19 March 2025, the player requested to enter into a voluntary provisional suspension, which came into effect immediately. 'Following a full investigation by the ITIA, which included evidence gathering and interviews with the player, Fancutt admitted to the breach, and the ITIA accepted that the breach was not intentional.
