The upcoming US Open Mixed Doubles Championship is set to feature a glittering roster of tennis greats, headlined by world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and the 24‑time men’s Grand Slam singles champion Novak Djokovic.
Both stars will compete in the mixed‑doubles draw that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, adding another marquee event to the Flushing Meadows summer schedule. In a surprising but exciting pairing, Serena Williams has been granted a wildcard and will team up with the young Spanish phenom Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz confirmed on Thursday that he will return to competition at the US Open after a lengthy lay‑off caused by a lingering wrist injury that has kept him off the court since April.
Williams, now 44, made a much‑celebrated comeback at Wimbledon earlier this year after a four‑year hiatus, only to suffer a knee injury that forced her out of the doubles event with sister Venus at the Cincinnati Open, where the pair fell in the opening round. The mixed‑doubles field also includes a mix of rising talent and seasoned veterans. Filipino prodigy Alex Eala will partner with Canada’s Felix Auger‑Aliassime, while the married couple Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils have also received a wildcard entry. Two‑time defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, both specialists in doubles, have been granted direct entry as well, ensuring that the tournament retains its high‑quality core.
Other notable pairings include Elena Rybakina, the recent Australian Open champion, who will join forces with American Taylor Fritz. Iga Świątek, the dominant Polish player, has teamed up with Norway’s Casper Ruud, creating a cross‑continental partnership that promises entertaining tennis. Additional direct entrants feature Jessica Pegula paired with Fritz, Iga Świątek with Ruud, Belinda Bencic with Flavio Cobolli, Amanda Anisimova with Learner Tien, and Diana Shnaider with an as‑yet‑undecided partner.
The tournament’s schedule runs from August 24 to August 26, marking the second year of the revamped mixed‑doubles championship. This event precedes the main US Open competitions, which begin on August 30 and continue through September 13.
The format is designed to deliver fast‑paced, fan‑friendly matches. Qualifying rounds will feature eight teams battling for two spots in the main draw, with matches beginning at 4 pm BST on the Grandstand. The first round and quarter‑finals will be played on August 25 at Louis Armstrong Stadium (3 pm) and Arthur Ashe Stadium (4 pm).
The semi‑finals and final are slated for August 26, with the semi‑finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium and the championship match kicking off at midnight. Match rules differ between the qualifying stage and the final. In qualifying and the semi‑finals, matches are best‑of‑three sets with each set played to four games, employing no‑ad scoring and a tiebreak at 4‑4.
If the match reaches a third set, a 10‑point match tiebreak decides the winner. The final shifts to a more traditional format: best‑of‑three sets to six games, a tiebreak at 6‑6, still using no‑ad scoring, and a 10‑point match tiebreak in place of a full third set if required. The tournament also offers a variety of viewing options. Fans can stream the action contract‑free with NOW, access live scores, results, and upcoming match information, and download the Sky Sports app for news, video highlights, and exclusive content.
For the best viewing experience, Sky Sports recommends using the Chrome browser to ensure full compatibility with its video player. Beyond the mixed‑doubles event, the broader US Open will feature the ATP and WTA Tours, all broadcast live on Sky Sports starting August 30.
This integrated coverage allows tennis enthusiasts to follow both the traditional singles draws and the innovative mixed‑doubles competition in one seamless package. In summary, the US Open Mixed Doubles Championship promises a compelling blend of star power, emerging talent, and inventive match formats. With legends like Sabalenka, Djokovic, and Williams sharing the court with the next generation of champions, spectators can expect high‑quality tennis, dramatic storylines, and plenty of memorable moments as the athletes compete for the coveted mixed‑doubles title at Flushing Meadows.