LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 30: Serena Williams of United States prepares to serve against Maya Joint of Australia during their Ladies’ Singles first round match on day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
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Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz will compete together in the Mixed Doubles event of the U.S. Open, marking a highly anticipated pairing of tennis royalty.
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The first-round match is set for Tuesday, with the starting time to be announced later. Also on Tuesday, 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will take part in an exhibition match alongside Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, and John McEnroe.
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At 44 years old, Williams will not participate in the women’s singles draw, as Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, secured the final wildcard entry. Williams, who has claimed 23 Grand Slam singles titles including six U.S. Open championships, last competed in the 2022 tournament where she was defeated in the third round. She had previously announced her transition away from professional tennis to prioritize family life.
Her sister Venus received a wildcard into the women’s singles draw, though it remains uncertain whether the Williams siblings will team up in the doubles competition.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 05: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their Men’s Semifinal match on Day Thirteen of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 5, 2025 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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Alcaraz, returning to action after a four-month wrist injury layoff, confirmed via social media his intention to defend his singles title at this year’s tournament.
The Mixed Doubles competition is led by world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the defending singles champion, alongside 24-time major victor Novak Djokovic. Wildcards were awarded to rising talents Alex Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime, married players Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, and two-time defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.
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Following the withdrawal of their former partners Jack Draper and Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz have reconstituted their Mixed Doubles team.
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The opening rounds and quarterfinals are scheduled for August 25, with semifinals and the final to be held on August 26. All matches will take place in either Arthur Ashe Stadium or Louis Armstrong Stadium, the tournament’s two largest venues.
Three wildcard entries remain to be finalized, while the final two main-draw spots will be determined through an eight-team qualifying tournament on August 24.
(The AP contributed reporting.)
