Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams will form a star-studded mixed doubles partnership at the US Open, headlining a revamped tournament format that brings tennis legends together at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. According to official tournament announcements, the pair received one of three wildcard entries into the 16-team main draw, which begins on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in New York.
The pairing materialized following a public exchange on social media. After Alcaraz announced his return to competition, Williams replied on X with the message, “Ohhhh, ok. Me gusta ver esto,” to which the Spanish player responded with eye and clock emojis. Tournament organizers subsequently confirmed the duo with the tagline, “Two champions.”
The partnership pairs Alcaraz, the reigning men’s singles champion who enters the tournament following a four-month recovery from a right wrist injury, with Williams, who retired from professional tennis in 2022 before returning to select events in June 2026 at age 44. Together, the duo commands a total of 46 Grand Slam titles, comprising Williams’s 39 majors—23 in singles, 14 in doubles, and two in mixed doubles—and Alcaraz’s seven major singles titles, as detailed by Marca.
Starr-Studded Draw and Record Financial Stakes
The mixed doubles event at Flushing Meadows features a compressed format designed to draw capacity crowds to the Arthur Ashe Stadium, which holds over 23,000 spectators. Matches are contested as best of three sets with four games per set, culminating in a super tiebreak if necessary. The main draw runs across August 25 and 26, preceded by an eight-team qualifying tournament on Monday, August 24, that offers two final spots.
In addition to Alcaraz and Williams, the tournament organizers awarded wildcards to the pairings of Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik, as well as Emma Navarro and Tommy Paul. Other marquee combinations announced for the elite field include WTA world number one Aryna Sabalenka partnering with Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek teaming with Casper Ruud, Mirra Andreeva joining Andrey Rublev, Alexander Zverev playing alongside Taylor Townsend, and Naomi Osaka pairing with Kei Nishikori.
Financial incentives for the expanded mixed doubles showcase match the tournament’s overall prize pool increase. The US Open boasts a record total purse, with funds dedicated specifically to the mixed doubles championship team. Entrants secure payouts simply by participating, while quarterfinalists, semifinalists, and runners-up take home respective earnings.
Return from Injury for Alcaraz
For Alcaraz, the mixed doubles campaign serves as a high-profile prelude to his singles title defense. The Spaniard has been sidelined for 133 days following a right wrist injury sustained during his opening match against Finland’s Otto Virtanen at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. His appearance alongside Williams marks his return to official competition ahead of the main singles bracket.
Williams enters her first US Open appearance since her farewell tournament in 2022. Her previous mixed doubles titles came alongside Belarusian player Max Mirnyi in 1998 at Wimbledon and the US Open. The second edition of the newly structured mixed doubles week continues ahead of the primary singles tournament draws in New York.
Worth a look
