Former world leader claims Venus Williams should no longer receive wildcards: 'It's about time!'
Article by David Istrate – Published on Thursday, 19 March 2026, 10:40 / Updated on Thursday, 19 March 2026 10:48
Yevgeny Kafelnikov (52), the two-time Grand Slam winner and former world singles leader, said in a podcast that Venus Williams (45, 517 WTA) should no longer receive wild cards.
In the middle of last year, the famous Venus Williams announced her return to tennis and received a wild card for the tournament in Washington. The former world number one won her first match after a long layoff, beating Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-4, but since then has collected only singles defeats.
Yevgeny Kafelnikov: “I have huge respect for Venus, but…”
The record of the seven-time Grand Slam winner in recent months is one win and 8 losses5 of them coming this year. However, Venus continued to receive wildcards, taking part in the Australian Open and Indian Wells, and is set to play in Miami as well, with Britain's Francesca Jones (25, 93 WTA) as her opening round opponent.
Williams had more success in doubles where, alongside Leylah Fernandez, she reached the quarterfinals of the US Open. In doubles or mixed doubles, the American has a record of 4 wins and 6 losses after returning to tennis.
In this context, there were several voices who argued that Venus Williams should no longer receive wildcards. One of them is his Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Olympic champion, two-time Grand Slam singles winner and four-time Grand Slam doubles winner.
“I have huge respect for Venus and everything she's accomplished. But it's time. These opportunities could be used more by other players. They could be used more productively (no wild cards), I agree with that opinion,” Kafelnikov said on the Hard Court podcast, quoted by Yahoo Sports.
Yevgeny Kafelnikov/Photo: Imago Images
Venus Williams began her career in 1994, won 7 Grand Slams in singles, 14 in doubles and two in mixed doubles and was world number 1 in both singles and doubles.
