Serena Williams Partners Carlos Alcaraz for Star-Studded US Open Mixed Doubles Campaign

Published On 23 Aug 202623 Aug 2026

Serena Williams will return to the US Open this year, but not in singles — instead, she is teaming up with promising young star Carlos Alcaraz in the tournament’s revamped mixed doubles draw.

The U.S. Tennis Association officially announced on Saturday that Williams and Alcaraz have received a wild card entry into the main draw of the mixed doubles competition, which kicks off on Tuesday. The winning doubles team will share a $1 million prize purse.

This marks Williams’ first appearance at the U.S. Open since 2022. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion made her comeback to the sport this summer after stepping away from full-time competition. Earlier this month, she competed in singles at Wimbledon but was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury sustained during her first-round match.

Following her Wimbledon run, Williams partnered with her older sister Venus in doubles at the Cincinnati Open, and the legendary siblings may also choose to compete together in Flushing Meadows.

Meanwhile, Alcaraz confirmed earlier this week that he will defend his U.S. Open singles title, marking his return to competition after being sidelined since April due to a right wrist injury. His partnership with Williams in mixed doubles adds further star power to an already stacked field.

“Let’s gooooo!” Alcaraz wrote on social media, tagging Williams alongside a fire emoji — signaling enthusiasm for the unexpected yet thrilling collaboration.

Williams has history at the U.S. Open in mixed doubles, having captured the title in 1998 alongside Max Mirnyi — well before her dominance in singles began. That achievement now feels like a precursor to what could be another memorable moment in her storied career.

The mixed doubles format changed dramatically last year when the USTA restructured it into a condensed two-day, 16-team event designed to attract top-tier talent from both the men’s and women’s tours. With players like Williams and Alcaraz joining forces, those ambitions appear to be paying off.

Other top names set to compete include Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz, who found new partners after their original counterparts withdrew due to injury. Additional wild card recipients include Emma Navarro and Tommy Paul, as well as Karolina Muchová and Jakub Mensík.

Diana Shnaider will also get another opportunity to find a new partner following Daniil Medvedev’s withdrawal from the event.

Confirmed US Open mixed doubles teams include: Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic, Pegula and Fritz, Iga Świątek and Casper Ruud, Belinda Benečić and Flavio Cobolli, Amanda Anisimova and Learner Tien, returning champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, Alex Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime, Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Townsend and Alexander Zverev, Elina Svitolina and Gaël Monfils, Williams and Alcaraz, Muchová and Mensík, and Navarro and Paul.

The final two spots in the draw will be decided via an eight-team qualifying tournament on Monday. Wild cards were granted to Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev, along with Peyton Stearns and Christian Harrison, to ensure strong representation ahead of the main event.

Unlike previous years, the majority of participants are not strictly doubles specialists. Instead, many are high-profile singles competitors seeking additional court time and prize money in a unique pairing format that continues to gain traction among fans and players alike.

Source link