ORLANDO, Fla., August 5, 2026 (USTA Media Release)
Twenty-three-year old Elvina Kalieva and 27-year old J.J. Wolf are the leaders of the USTA’s US Open Wild Card Challenge after its third of four weeks for the women and five weeks for the men.
With just one week left in the women’s challenge, Kalieva leads the standings after reaching the semifinals of the WTA 250 Memphis Classic in Tennessee. Second-place Caroline Dolehide follows closely, sitting just 18 points back.
Wolf, who has twice reached the third round of the US Open and was ranked inside the Top 40 as recently as 2023, secured his sixth ATP Challenger title over the weekend at the 125 Vancouver Open in Canada. With the victory, he leads Michael Zheng by 87 points.
The top of the standings after Week 3:
Women’s Standings
(Player’s current ranking in parentheses)
1. Elvina Kalieva (121) — 119
2. Caroline Dolehide (256) — 101
3. Ayana Akli (242) — 66
Men’s Standings
(Player’s current ranking in parentheses)
1. J.J. Wolf (282) — 147
2. Michael Zheng (113) — 60
3. Andres Martin (340) — 57
The men’s wild card will go to the American with the highest cumulative total of ATP singles ranking points earned from their best four results over five weeks. The Men’s Challenge counts outdoor and indoor hard-court events at the M25-level and above around the world.
The women’s wild card will go to the American with the highest cumulative total of WTA singles ranking points earned from their best three results over four weeks. The Women’s Challenge counts outdoor and indoor hard-court events at the W35-level and above around the world.
Both main draw and qualifying points earned from eligible tournaments count toward each player’s Challenge total. Results from the Cincinnati Open will not count for either the men or the women.
Americans who otherwise earn direct entry into the US Open are not eligible, including those who can enter with a protected ranking. Should the player with the highest number of Challenge points earn direct entry into the US Open, the wild card will go to the next eligible American in the Challenge points standings. In the event of a tie, the player with the best ATP or best WTA singles ranking on the Monday following the end of the Challenge will earn the wild card. Challenge ends August 9 for the Women and August 16 for the Men.
