The US Open has made a decision for the first time in its history as wildcards are released for this year’s tournament

It’s an exciting time for the tennis world as the US Open is now under two weeks away.

For those planning on watching the Grand Slam’s revamped mixed doubles competition, that will commence next week.

All eyes will turn to Flushing Meadows in what will be the fourth and final Grand Slam of what has been an entertaining season.

Fans are always keen to see which players are offered the coveted wildcards before a major commences, and there is something rather surprising about who is absent from the list at the US Open this year.

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An American men’s NCAA singles champion has not received a US Open wildcard for the first time ever

The players who have received a wildcard to compete at the 2025 US Open have now been revealed.

The likes of two-time champion Venus Williams and the retiring Caroline Garcia were among the names, as was Darwin Blanch and the son of WTA legend Tracy Austin, Brandon Holt.

But there was no mention of Michael Zheng, who is the current men’s NCAA singles champion.

The player who wins this title is usually offered a wildcard into the main draw of the US Open, but this is not the case for Zheng, who won his first Challenger title on August 10 in Chicago.

Therefore, for the first time ever, the American men’s NCAA singles champion will not receive a wildcard into the main draw at Flushing Meadows.

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Notable past NCAA champions who have been given wildcards into the US Open

There are several players that have received US Open main draw wildcards after winning the NCAA title.

Steve Johnson won the NCAA title in 2011 and 2012, and he went on to become a top 25 player and Olympic bronze medallist in doubles.

Marcos Giron and Mackenzie McDonald won the title in 2014 and 2016 respectively, and they both represented UCLA.

In 2022, Ben Shelton represented the University of Florida and won the NCAA title. He then chose to forgo his final year of college to turn pro and the decision has certainly paid off for him.

Shelton is a top 10 player who now has a Masters 1000 title to his name and two Grand Slam semifinal appearances.

Shelton is currently looking to win his second successive title as he competes at the Cincinnati Open, before aiming to win a first Grand Slam title at the US Open.

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