“Attention-Seeking Behavior”; “Can’t Wait” — Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz Divide Fans After US Open Mixed Doubles Confirmation, as Carlos Responds With a Two-Word Message
The US Open’s latest announcement confirming Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz’s participation in the mixed doubles event has divided fans online. While many are excited to see the American legend return to competition, others are sceptical about her pairing with Alcaraz.
Taking to X, several fans pointed out that the decision to unite two of the sport’s biggest names comes across more as a business decision. Fans opined that the pairing would not work on paper, with some going as far as saying that the two coming together was done just to increase the “hype” around the fairly new mixed doubles competition format and was “attention seeking behaviour”.
A group of fans, meanwhile, joked that the mixed doubles tournament was just extra “stress” for the arm.
“Lol. Why u need to play doubles ? U have just come to play the tournament. Don’t give that much stress to ur arms,” a fan wrote.
“Feel like they aren’t even going to pair well. This just for hype,” echoed another.
“Alcaraz is only playing for business,” a third user wrote.
“This pairing is forced and dumb everyone hyping it looks desperate,” read another post.
There was, however, a section that viewed the development more positively. Fans variously described the pairing as “extraordinary”, the “crescendo of the 2026 Grand Slams”. A fan even suggested a new pairing name, “Serenarlos”, a portmanteau of Williams and Alcaraz’s name.
“I can’t wait,” a fan wrote.
“Omg this an extraordinary combo,” an X post read.
“The US Open needs to be the crescendo of the 2026 Grand slams please… Oh we are so back! Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams playing Mixed doubles 2026 is the year that just keeps giving Tennis is back,” added another.
“Serenarlos is the fusion nickname to go with for Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz’s amazing mixed doubles pairing,” a fan suggested.
Two generations of tennis royalty are joining forces in New York.
Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams received a wild card into the 2026 US Open mixed doubles championship, the tournament announced Saturday, creating the most compelling partnership in an already star-packed field.
“Let’s gooooo!” Alcaraz wrote on X, tagging Williams and adding a fire emoji.
