The upcoming US Open Mixed Doubles Championship is set to feature a dazzling roster of tennis stars, headlined by world number one Aryna Sabalenka and the legendary 24‑time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. Both players will be part of an all‑star lineup that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, promising fans a showcase of elite talent and exciting match‑ups. In a surprising twist, Serena Williams has been granted a wildcard entry and will team up with the rising Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz, who has been sidelined since April due to a lingering wrist problem, announced his intention to return to competition at Flushing Meadows later this month. His comeback will be closely watched, as he seeks to regain form ahead of the main US Open events. Williams, now 44, made a highly publicized return to the professional circuit after a four‑year break, first appearing at Wimbledon in June. Unfortunately, a knee injury forced her to withdraw from further play, and she later joined her sister Venus in the doubles draw at the Cincinnati Open, where the pair fell in the opening round.
Despite these setbacks, Williams remains determined to make an impact in the mixed‑doubles field. The mixed‑doubles draw also includes a blend of established champions and promising newcomers.
Young Filipino talent Alex Eala will partner with Canadian rising star Felix Auger‑Aliassime, while former top‑10 players Elina Svitolina and Gaël Monfils—now married—have also secured a wildcard spot. The defending champions, Italy’s Sara Errani and Italy‑born Andrea Vavassori, both specialists in doubles play, have received a direct entry into the main draw as well, giving them the chance to defend their title for a second consecutive year. The tournament marks the second edition of the re‑imagined mixed‑doubles format, running from August 24 through August 26. This schedule runs concurrently with the qualifying rounds for the other US Open events, which will commence on August 30 and continue until September 13.
The mixed‑doubles competition is designed to be fast‑paced and viewer‑friendly, employing a series of rule variations that differ from traditional Grand Slam doubles. Qualifying will take place on Monday, August 24, with eight teams battling for two coveted spots in the main draw. These matches will be staged on the Grandstand court and will kick off at 4 p.m. BST.
The following day, August 25, the first round and quarter‑finals will be contested across two venues: Louis Armstrong Stadium will host matches beginning at 3 p.m., while Arthur Ashe Stadium will see action start at 4 p.m. The semi‑finals and final are slated for Wednesday, August 26. The semi‑finals will be played on Arthur Ashe Stadium, with the championship match scheduled for a midnight start on the same court, offering a dramatic climax to the three‑day event.
Match format details are as follows: From the qualifying stage through the semi‑finals, each contest will be a best‑of‑three‑set match, but each set will be played to four games instead of the usual six. No‑ad scoring will be used, meaning the next point after deuce decides the game, and a tiebreak will be played at 4‑4. If the match reaches a third set, a 10‑point match tiebreak will replace the full set, accelerating the conclusion.
The final, however, will revert to a slightly more traditional structure. It will still be a best‑of‑three‑set match, but each set will be played to six games, with a standard tiebreak at 6‑6.
No‑ad scoring remains in effect, and a 10‑point tiebreak will again stand in for a full third set if required. These modifications aim to keep the competition intense while fitting within broadcast windows. Fans can follow the action through multiple platforms. Sky Sports will provide live coverage of the mixed‑doubles event, and the broader US Open tournament will also be streamed on Sky Sports beginning August 30.
For those who prefer streaming without a traditional contract, the NOW service offers a flexible option, and the Sky Sports app delivers news, video highlights, and real‑time scores directly to mobile devices. Additional resources include a dedicated tennis scores and results page, as well as a video library featuring highlights and best‑shot compilations. Viewers are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the optimal video player experience. Overall, the US Open Mixed Doubles Championship promises a blend of nostalgia, with legends like Djokovic and Williams returning to the court, and fresh excitement, with emerging talents such as Alcaraz and Eala stepping onto the Grand Slam stage.
The unique format, combined with the high‑profile wildcard entries, ensures that the event will be a compelling prelude to the main US Open draws, offering tennis enthusiasts a thrilling glimpse of mixed‑gender competition at the highest level.