US Open told they have made an ‘embarrassing’ decision with one wild card selection, ‘what are we doing’

The US Open is one of tennis’ most prestigious prizes, and to win it guarantees any player a level of fame never before seen.

After all, whilst Wimbledon is steeped in tradition, and Roland Garros’ legacy is immaculate, this New York event has commercialised the sport like no other, and draws record viewers every single year.

It is likely this added pressure, combined with the cauldron that is the American crowd, that has thrown up so many surprise winners over the years.

Stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Andy Murray and Coco Gauff all scored their first major title on Arthur Ashe, catapulting themselves into the stratosphere.

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With that in mind, the wild cards therefore play a huge role in offering young talent, particularly Americans, the chance to compete on this stage.

And yet, there has been one selection amongst the US Open’s 16 singles wild cards named earlier this week that has drawn scrutiny.

US Open slammed for one of their singles wild cards

The pundit left particularly aggrieved about this decision was Catherine Whitaker, who spoke with great passion on The Tennis Podcast on the subject.

Naturally, she was more than willing to accept Venus Williams’ participation, as one of tennis’ most iconic figures who has given so much to the sport.

However, she did not echo that sentiment for the retiring Caroline Garcia, who has also been handed a wild card.

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Reflecting upon this news, she stated: “First, the US Open wild cards have been announced, mostly sort of the names you’d expect, young American hopefuls, that kind of thing.

“But two names do jump out. One of those is 45-year-old Venus Williams, and one of those is apparently not retired Caroline Garcia.

“Making the bloomin’ most of it. I mean. Come on. Bianca Andreescu hasn’t got a wild card, but Caroline Garcia has. It’s… What are we doing? What are we doing?”

Matt Roberts reasoned: “It’s the nonsense French reciprocal thing.”

Whitaker responded with more frustration: Catherine Whitaker:

“And that’s how France are using their reciprocal wild, is it? That’s embarrassing. That’s embarrassing.”

David Law questioned if a young French player might have benefitted more from this great honour than the 31-year-old, to which Whitaker ended her rant with her final claim: “And Caroline Garcia is taking a wild card from a young French player. She’s had a beautiful ceremony on Chatrier. It’s not on.”

Who else has the US Open gifted singles wild cards to?

Whilst Garcia and Williams naturally headline the singles wild card selections across both the men’s and women’s, it is worth mentioning the rest, given they are likely to be names we will be hearing a lot more of in the coming years.

Along with Williams, fellow Americans Clervie Ngounoue, Julieta Pareja, Caty McNally, Valerie Glozman and Alyssa Ahn have all been gifted main draw singles wild cards, with Garcia, a semi-finalist in 2022, and Australian Talia Gibson making up the rest of the women’s lineup.

Julieta Pareja is one to really keep an eye on, as a 16-year-old talent who reached the final of Wimbledon’s junior event earlier this year.

Barry Cowan gave his verdict on Venus Williams’ wild cards during her strong Washington performance a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, on the men’s side, their American contingent consists of Nishesh Basavareddy, Tristan Boyer, Emilio Nava, Stefan Dostanic, Darwin Blanch and Brandon Holt, son of two-time Grand Slam champion Tracy Austin.

However, with Matteo Berrettini’s withdrawal, the latter has gained entry on his own merit, and Eliot Spizzirri will take his spot.

There will also be entries for Tristan Schoolkate of Australia, and Valentin Royer, a Frenchman.

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