New York, NY, USA, 19 August 2015 | tennis.com.au

Former US Open champion Lleyton Hewitt has been handed a wildcard in what will be his final appearance at Flushing Meadows.

The 34-year-old Australian, a champion in New York in 2001, was among the eight players awarded main draw wildcards on Tuesday.

He is a wildcard recipient alongside Americans Jared Donaldson, Bjorn Fratangelo, Ryan Harrison, Austin Krajicek, Ryan Shane and Frances Tiafoe and Frenchman Pierre-Hughes Herbert.

In addition to his title run in 2001, Hewitt reached the US Open final in 2004 and semifinals in 2000, 2002 and 2005.

He reached at least the quarterfinal stage for seven straight years from 2000 to 2006 and owns a sparkling 46-13 record at the year’s final Grand Slam event.

He joins another six Aussies – Bernard Tomic, Nick Kyrgios, Sam Groth, John Millman, Thanasi Kokkinakis and James Duckworth – who are expected to receive direct entry into the tournament.

The US Open begins on Monday 31 August.