US Open fans demand rule change after 'scandal' ahead of tournament

Tennis fans have called on US Open organisers to implement a major rule change on the eve of this year's tournament.

The men's and women's singles draws get underway on Sunday, August 21 in New York City, with Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka looking to defend the titles they won last year.

A newly-revamped mixed doubles event has already taken place, with 16 teams competing over a two-day event.

The likes of Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula all signed up to take part, with the tournament eventually being won by doubles specialists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.

For the event, eight teams were entered as a direct result of their singles rankings, while the other eight teams were handed wildcards.

The inclusion of wildcards is a rule traditionally applied to the singles draw as well, with tennis legend Venus Williams among those given the opportunity to compete in New York City this year.

But Stan Wawrinka was not afforded the same opportunity - despite reportedly requesting a wildcard to compete.

The Swiss player is now 40 years of age and hasn't progressed beyond the third round of a Grand Slam event since the 2020 Australian Open.

Wawrinka was absent from Wimbledon and has been handed main draw wildcards since 2024, using them to enter last year's US Open and the 2025 Australian and French Opens.

His situation is intriguing, however, as the Swiss star won the US Open in 2016.

In some other sports, such as golf, the winners of previous majors are automatically awarded entry into the tournament for subsequent years.

And while, of course, some common sense would have to be applied, in the case of tennis, in terms of whether players would be fit to play under a similar rule, fans have questioned why Wawrinka is not permitted to play this month despite being a former winner.

One fan wrote: "Biggest scandal of the US Open 2025 so far?"

A second said: "Stan Wawrinka not getting a WC is a f***ing joke to the US Open."

And a third added: "Not giving Stan Wawrinka, who is a former champion and - probably - only has a couple of years left, a wildcard is... not a good choice from the US Open."

While a fourth claimed: "Wawrinka as a Slam champ should get one."

But others saw it differently, with one writing: "He hasn't had Grand Slam level results for a long time now and he doesn't have a golden ticket to just keep taking a spot when his level is not there."

A second claimed: "Stan is a shell of what he once was."