Serena Williams is returning to the US Open court alongside men’s world number two Carlos Alcaraz, forming a blockbuster mixed doubles partnership for the final Grand Slam tournament of the season. According to reports from the Associated Press, the pair received a wild card entry for the event, which runs its main draw matches over two days starting August 25.
A High-Profile Return to Flushing Meadows
The upcoming tournament marks a notable return for Williams, who stepped away from professional tennis following her run at the 2022 US Open. After returning to the tour in June following an absence of roughly four years, she competed in the Wimbledon singles draw last month before exiting in the first round. According to tournament announcements, Williams will bypass the singles draw at Flushing Meadows to concentrate entirely on mixed doubles, while the possibility of partnering with her sister Venus Williams in the women’s doubles remains open.
Alcaraz Seeks Match Fitness Ahead of Title Defense
For Alcaraz, the mixed doubles appearance serves as crucial preparation for his defense of the men’s singles title. The Spanish star has spent months on the sidelines recovering from a right-wrist injury that sidelined him in April. By pairing with Williams, Alcaraz aims to test his physical readiness and regain competitive sharpness before launching his singles campaign.
A Revamped Format and Heavyweight Field
Organizers restructured the US Open mixed doubles format last year to attract top-tier singles talent. The tournament features a condensed 16-team field competing across two days for a winner’s prize of $1 million. Alongside the Williams-Alcaraz pairing, the entry list includes women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka partnering with 24-time major singles champion Novak Djokovic, as well as an all-American pairing of Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz.
Next Confirmed Checkpoint
The US Open mixed doubles main draw matches are scheduled to begin on August 25. Readers can follow official tournament updates and broadcast schedules through the official US Open channels.
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