Serena Williams and Spain’s rising star Carlos Alcaraz have officially entered the mixed‑doubles draw at the US Open, but the American legend will not be contesting the women’s singles event. The partnership was granted a wildcard, giving the duo a chance to compete together on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows. Williams, a 23‑time Grand Slam champion in singles and a six‑time US Open title‑holder, is making her first competitive appearance at the tournament since 2022, when she fell to Croatia’s Ajla Tomljanović in the third round.
After a brief comeback earlier this summer, she now turns her focus to mixed doubles, a format she once conquered in 1998 alongside Belarusian specialist Max Mirnyi. The decision to forego singles was confirmed by the USTA, which allocated its final women’s wildcard to Sofia Kenin. In a recent interview on Sky Sports Tennis, former doubles champion Jamie Murray explained that Serena has not played a singles match since Wimbledon and may not feel physically prepared to endure the rigors of a singles campaign at this stage of her career. Murray added, “She’s going to play some doubles with her sister Venus and she’s got a fun event in the mixed doubles.
I personally expected to see her across the US Open Series after Wimbledon – to play more matches with a view to competing in New York but obviously that’s not the case.” Williams’ mixed‑doubles partner, Carlos Alcaraz, announced his intention to defend his men’s singles title after a lengthy layoff caused by a right‑wrist injury that kept him out of competition since April. The 21‑year‑old world No.
2 is eager to showcase his versatility by joining the mixed‑doubles field alongside the iconic American. The mixed‑doubles draw, which kicks off on Tuesday, features a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent. World No.
1 Aryna Sabalenka will team up with four‑time US Open champion Novak Djokovic, while Jessica Pegula will pair with fellow American Taylor Fritz after their original partners, Jack Draper and Elena Rybakina, withdrew. Other notable pairings include Iga Świątek with Casper Ruud, Belinda Bencic with Flavio Cobolli, and Amanda Anisimova with Learner Tien. Wildcard entries add further intrigue. Alongside the headline Williams‑Alcaraz team, the tournament has granted wildcards to pairs such as Sara Errani with Andrea Vavassori, Alex Eala with Felix Auger‑Aliassime, Leylah Fernandez with Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Townsend with Alexander Zverev, and Elina Svitolina with Gaël Monfils.
Additional wildcards include Mirra Andreeva with Andrey Rublev and the American duo Peyton Stearns and Christian Harrison. Direct entrants also populate the field, featuring established doubles specialists like Katerina Siniakova with Henry Patten, Gabriela Dabrowski with Harri Heliövaara, Luisa Stefani with Neal Skupski, Aleksandra Krušič with Mate Pavić, Kristina Mladenović with Marcelo Arévalo, and Erin Routliffe with Lloyd Glasspool.
The mixed‑doubles competition offers a unique blend of strategy and entertainment, as male and female players must coordinate their strengths, cover the court efficiently, and exploit the faster pace that the mixed format often produces. For Williams, the event provides a lower‑impact avenue to test her match fitness and enjoy the camaraderie of partnership without the exhaustive demands of a singles schedule. For Alcaraz, sharing the court with a legend of the sport adds a historic dimension to his own burgeoning legacy.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, which will broadcast both the ATP and WTA tours throughout the US Open fortnight, starting August 30. The tournament is also available for streaming without a contract through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, offering on‑demand video, highlights, and real‑time scores.
In addition to the mixed‑doubles storyline, the US Open continues to showcase a packed calendar of singles and doubles matches across both genders. The tournament remains one of the sport’s most prestigious Grand Slam events, known for its electric atmosphere, night sessions, and the iconic blue hard courts that have produced countless memorable moments. As the mixed‑doubles draw unfolds, all eyes will be on the Serena‑Alcaraz partnership to see how the veteran’s experience meshes with the youthful vigor of the Spanish phenom. Their performance could set the tone for the rest of the event, providing a compelling narrative of mentorship, resilience, and the timeless appeal of tennis collaboration.