BREAKING: US Open make huge Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams announcement days before tournament
Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams have been confirmed as a blockbuster pairing for the US Open mixed doubles tournament next week. The announcement comes just days after Alcaraz confirmed he is ready to return from his wrist injury in New York for the final Grand Slam of 2026.
And before the singles event, Alcaraz will team up with American icon Serena in an all-star duo at Flushing Meadows. The pair have an astonishing 46 combined Grand Slam titles in singles and doubles.
Serena has not actually said yet if she will play singles in the United States but the USTA have reserved one final wildcard in case the 44-year-old opts in. She played singles at Wimbledon but lost her opening match, before teaming up with her sister Venus at the recent Cincinnati Open in the doubles.
Alcaraz and Serena won’t be the only headline-grabbing duo in the mixed doubles. Women’s world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and 24-time Slam winner Novak Djokovic are one of the other teams entered into the event.
Five of the men’s top 10 will take part, with Jannik Sinner a notable absentee. The Italian world No.1 will not play in the singles due to a knee injury. He confirmed: “Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year.
“We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realised that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue.
“I’m obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart.” Jack Draper is another who will not play in the mixed doubles or the singles events at the US Open due to a long-term arm injury. The Brit has now not played at any of this year’s four Slams.
The full US Open mixed doubles line-up
Direct Entrants (6)
- Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic
- Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz
- Diana Shnaider and Daniil Medvedev
- Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud
- Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli
- Amanda Anisimova and Learner Tien
Wild Cards (8)
- Alexandra Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime
- Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe
- Taylor Townsend and Alexander Zverev
- Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils
- Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori
- Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz
- Jakub Mensik and Karolina Muchova
- Emma Navarrao and Tommy Paul
Qualifiers (2)
- Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev
- Peyton Stearns and Christian Harrison
*Direct entry into qualifying was based on best combined singles or doubles ranking.
