Orlando, Fla., October 21, 2026 (USTA Media Release)

2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens took the lead in the Australian Open Women’s Wild Card Challenge after winning the Edmond Open W100 title in Edmond, Oklahoma. The top of the women’s standings after Week 2 of 5:

Women’s Standings

(Player’s current ranking in parentheses)

1. Sloane Stephens (118) — 100
2. Elvina Kalieva (113) — 61
3. Julieta Pareja (228) — 39
4. Annika Penickova (482) — 37
5. Connie Ma (NR) — 35

The USTA and Tennis Australia have a reciprocal agreement in which main draw singles wild cards for the 2027 Australian Open and US Open will be exchanged.

The women’s wild card will be awarded to the American with the most ranking points earned at a maximum of three tournaments during a five-week window, beginning with events starting the week of October 5. The women’s Challenge window runs through the week of November 2. All indoor and outdoor hard-court and carpet events at the W35 level and above, including WTA Tour events, will be included in the Challenge.

The Men’s Wild Card Challenge began this week on Monday, Oct. 19.

The men’s wild card will be awarded to the American with the most ranking points earned from a maximum of four events during a five-week window that begins the week of October 19 and runs through the week of November 16. All indoor and outdoor hard-court and carpet events at the M25 level and above, including ATP Tour and Challenger events, will be included in the Challenge.

Ranking points earned in the main draw and qualifying will be counted toward each player’s Challenge point total. Should the player with the highest number of Challenge points earn direct entry into the Australian Open, the wild card will go to the next eligible American in the Challenge points standings. In the event of a tie for the men or the women, the player with the best singles ranking on the Monday immediately following the conclusion of the Challenge will earn the wild card. Americans who otherwise earn direct entry into the Australian Open are not eligible.

Previous Americans to earn wild cards into the Australian Open (year specified is the year of the tournament):

2026: Patrick Kypson (1R); Elizabeth Mandlik (1R)
2025: Nishesh Basavareddy (1R); Iva Jovic (2R)
2024: Patrick Kypson (1R); McCartney Kessler (2R)
2023: Chris Eubanks (2R); Taylor Townsend (2R)
2022: Stefan Kozlov (2R); Robin Anderson (1R)
2020: Marcos Giron (1R); CoCo Vandweghe (1R)
2019: Jack Sock (1R); Whitney Osuigwe (1R)
2018: Tim Smyczek (2R); Kristie Ahn (1R)
2017: Michael Mmoh (1R); Kayla Day (1R)
2016: Noah Rubin (2R); Samantha Crawford (1R)
2015: Denis Kudla (1R); Irina Falconi (2R)
2014: Steve Johnson (1R); Sachia Vickery (1R)
2013: Rhyne Williams (1R); Madison Keys (3R)
2012: Jesse Levine (1R); Madison Keys (1R)
2011: Ryan Harrison (1R); Lauren Davis (1R)
2010: Ryan Harrison (1R); CoCo Vandeweghe (1R)
2009: John Isner (1R); Christina McHale (1R)
2008: Jesse Levine (2R); Madison Brengle (1R)
2007: Madison Brengle (1R); No men’s wild card competition.