Sport All Things TENNIS

[Voula]

Venus Williams given a Wildcard into the Australian open .

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I agree. I think they did it last year too.

What the point? Surely everyone knows where the players are from anyway

 

[cats_09]

What the point? Surely everyone knows where the players are from anyway

The bigger names yeah, but not every player we'll be seeing across the summer

Surely it's not hard to just display a standard flag rather than fancy shapes

 

[LukeParkerno1]

The bigger names yeah, but not every player we'll be seeing across the summer

Surely it's not hard to just display a standard flag rather than fancy shapes

It’s on the teams box where all the players are. It’s there just isn’t on the TV. Much prefer it as they can fit in serve speeds and etc

 

[Voula]

What the point? Surely everyone knows where the players are from anyway

No some of the players aren't the highest ranked for their countries so I don't know them. Also I may know the name but not their country.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

No some of the players aren't the highest ranked for their countries so I don't know them. Also I may know the name but not their country.

The flag is on the side where the players are. It’s not exactly that difficult there. It’s where the “coach” is.

 

[Voula]

It’s on the teams box where all the players are. It’s there just isn’t on the TV. Much prefer it as they can fit in serve speeds and etc

As cats_09 said, just replace the weird logo with the rectangle country flag. No space will be taken up. Just my preference .

 

[LukeParkerno1]

As cats_09 said, just replace the weird logo with the rectangle country flag. No space will be taken up. Just my preference .

They are doing this for all tournaments really. I don’t have an issue with it

 

[Voula]

The flag is on the side where the players are. It’s not exactly that difficult there. It’s where the “coach” is.

 

[Munich]

Venus Williams given a Wildcard into the Australian open .

Boo hoo.

Who's spot is she taking? I want name, ranking and assurance they'd do any better.

 

[Voula]

Boo hoo.

Who's spot is she taking? I want name, ranking and assurance they'd do any better.

She's had her chance. Give an up and comer a go.

 

[Munich]

She's had her chance. Give an up and comer a go.

Still waiting for a name

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Still waiting for a name

Taylah Preston would be worth a WC but any of the younger ones

Talia Kokkinis might have one but if not absolutely her

Go young that’s what these WC’s should be for not some near 50 year old that’s had her day come off it by all means give her a doubles one but singles what’s the point?

 

[cats_09]

Here's the list of women's wildcard entrants

Australian Open 2026 women’s singles wildcards​

• Emerson Jones (Australia)
• Zarina Diyas (Kazakhstan)
• Elizabeth Mandlik (USA)
• Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah (France)
• Priscilla Hon (Australia)
• Talia Gibson (Australia)
• Taylah Preston (Australia)
• Venus Williams (USA)

Williams receiving a wildcard seems more for the novelty & attention that Williams being a wildcard recipient side of things will receive, rather than being based on her actually deserving or earning it

She last played in the Aus Open in 2021, has a win/loss record of 7/25 since 2021 and is currently ranked 581 in the world. After losing her first 2 matches in the 2024 season she took over a year off, returned last year after turning 45 to play 3 tournaments where she had a 1/3 record

The wildcard is for the novelty aspect and to say there's a Williams in the draw - I'm pretty comfortable that there were other younger players that would gain more from receiving the wildcard than Williams for whom this adds to the retirement fund

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Talia Kokkinis gained near 200 ranking spots last year why on earth isn’t she ahead of the half retired 50 year old

 

[Voula]

Still waiting for a name

Talia Kokkinis gained near 200 ranking spots last year why on earth isn’t she ahead of the half retired 50 year old

Someone like Talia Kokkinis is exactly the purpose for the Wildcard.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Someone like Talia Kokkinis is exactly the purpose for the Wildcard.

Exactly yet let’s waste one on some retiree which serves no purpose other than her bank account. Newsflash they more than likely either win a round but one may improve it sure ain’t Venus at her age

 

[Munich]

Someone like Talia Kokkinis is exactly the purpose for the Wildcard.

Right, did you know who this even was before someone else googled her

 

[Munich]

Exactly yet let’s waste one on some retiree which serves no purpose other than her bank account. Newsflash they more than likely either win a round but one may improve it sure ain’t Venus at her age

For someone who follows tennis regularly you should be more aware of how wildcards work, and that they're not just given out based on young age.

The other people commenting only watch tennis once a year and it shows.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

For someone who follows tennis regularly you should be more aware of how wildcards work, and that they're not just given out based on young age.

The other people commenting only watch tennis once a year and it shows.

There were better “celebrity” wildcards to be given out than Venus anyway. They are a waste of time. Can we not pretend she’s Serena too. Give her a doubles WC.

You hand it to the young girl who has significantly improved her ranking, been a better improvement than Jones.

 

[Munich]

There were better “celebrity” wildcards to be given out than Venus anyway. They are a waste of time. Can we not pretend she’s Serena too. Give her a doubles WC.

You hand it to the young girl who has significantly improved her ranking, been a better improvement than Jones.

Well Azarenka missed out, do you mean her?

I think TA have chosen Venus for a few reasons, and no she's not Serena, who is pretending that. She has won 7 slams though and has personality unlike 85% of the WTA.

 

[cats_09]

For someone who follows tennis regularly you should be more aware of how wildcards work, and that they're not just given out based on young age.

The other people commenting only watch tennis once a year and it shows.

What valid reason is there for giving Williams a wildcard?

She's not a former Aus Open champion, she's not one the comeback from injury etc. She last won a title in either singles or doubles back in 2016, and hasn't had a positive win/loss record on the tour since 2019

You don't need to be someone glued to the tennis circuit to know this was a joke of a selection and the reception online tells as much - the comments questioning why far out weigh those who support the decision

 

[Munich]

What valid reason is there for giving Williams a wildcard?

She's not a former Aus Open champion, she's not one the comeback from injury etc. She last won a title in either singles or doubles back in 2016, and hasn't had a positive win/loss record on the tour since 2019

You don't need to be someone glued to the tennis circuit to know this was a joke of a selection and the reception online tells as much - the comments questioning why far out weigh those who support the decision

Venus is loved by AO, she might not have won a singles title here but she's made the final a couple of times. She's still a star and that's marketable, plus still playing at her age is a first.

If you're basing twitter for your opinion then I've made my point.

 

[Hamingja]

The 5th in line Australian might not be any good but if that is the case how about promoting some of the younger talent from other countries that aren't lucky enough to have an Australian, French, UK or US passport.

Give one to the winner of the junior girls from the previous year for example. Juniors are always hit and miss but you look at the honour roll and you have Tauson, Kostyuk, Pliskova, Pav, Azarenka, Jankovic as junior Australian open winners.

Give them a kick start instead of wasting it on a washed up 45 year old.

 

[Hamingja]

plus still playing at her age is a first.

She is only still playing because people give her wildcards, that is not an achievement.