Serena Williams has confirmed that she will return to Flushing Meadows for the US Open, but this time she will be doing so in the mixed‑doubles draw alongside Spain’s rising star Carlos Alcaraz. The pair received a wildcard entry, creating a buzz‑worthy partnership that many fans are already calling a "dream team." While Williams will be back on the court, she has opted out of the women’s singles event, focusing her energy on the mixed‑doubles competition and a few select doubles appearances. The announcement marks Williams’ first competitive appearance at the US Open since the 2022 edition, where she fell in the third round to Croatia’s Ajla Tomljanović. After a brief hiatus from professional tennis earlier this summer, the 23‑time Grand Slam champion has been gradually rebuilding her match fitness.
Her mixed‑doubles partnership with Alcaraz, the defending men’s champion, was confirmed after the United States Tennis Association (USTA) awarded them a wildcard slot for the tournament’s opening round. Williams’ mixed‑doubles pedigree is not new; she captured the title back in 1998 when she partnered with Belarusian doubles specialist Max Mirnyi. That victory was a highlight of her already impressive résumé, which includes six US Open singles crowns and a total of 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
This year, however, her focus will be split between mixed‑doubles with Alcaraz and a few doubles matches with her older sister, Venus, who she recently teamed up with at the Cincinnati Open. The decision to forego the singles draw appears to be a strategic one. The USTA allocated the final women’s singles wildcard to Sofia Kenin, leaving Williams without a direct entry. In a recent interview on Sky Sports Tennis, former doubles champion Jamie Murray offered his perspective on the situation.
He noted that Williams has not competed in a singles match since Wimbledon, and it is unclear whether she feels physically prepared to re‑enter the singles arena at this stage of the season. Murray suggested that Williams may prefer to limit her workload to doubles, where the physical demands are somewhat reduced, and to enjoy the mixed‑doubles event as a more relaxed, yet still competitive, format. "She’s going to play some doubles with her sister Venus and she’s got a fun event in the mixed doubles," Murray said.
"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." Alcaraz, who is defending his men’s singles title after a wrist injury kept him out of competition since April, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. He sees the mixed‑doubles event as an opportunity to sharpen his net play and gain additional match practice ahead of his singles campaign. The mixed‑doubles draw kicks off on Tuesday, and the Williams‑Alcaraz duo will be looking to make a deep run, potentially adding another Grand Slam trophy to both of their storied careers. Other notable mixed‑doubles pairings have also been announced.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will join forces with four‑time US Open champion Novak Djokovic, forming a powerhouse team that blends Sabalenka’s aggressive baseline game with Djokovic’s unmatched court coverage and tactical acumen. Meanwhile, American Jessica Pegula will partner with fellow US player Taylor Fritz after their original teammates, Jack Draper and Elena Rybakina, withdrew from the event.
Fans can follow the action through various streaming platforms. The US Open is available contract‑free via the NOW service, and live coverage of both the ATP and WTA tours can be accessed through the Sky Sports app, which also offers highlights, video clips, and real‑time scores.
For those seeking a more accessible video player, the tournament recommends using the Chrome browser. The mixed‑doubles competition often provides some of the most entertaining moments of the US Open, with players from both the men’s and women’s tours combining forces in a fast‑paced, high‑energy format. While the prize money and ranking points are modest compared to singles, the event offers a unique chance for top players to experiment with different strategies and enjoy a less pressurized environment. For Williams, it also serves as a gentle re‑entry into high‑level competition, allowing her to gauge her physical condition without the grueling demands of a singles draw.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the Williams‑Alcaraz partnership. Their contrasting styles—Williams’ powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes paired with Alcaraz’s lightning‑quick footwork and tactical versatility—could create a formidable combination on the court. If they can synchronize their strengths, they have a realistic shot at capturing the mixed‑doubles crown, adding a fresh chapter to both of their legacies. In summary, Serena Williams is set to make a competitive comeback at the US Open, but she will do so exclusively in the mixed‑doubles event alongside Carlos Alcaraz, while also playing occasional doubles with sister Venus.
She will not be contesting the women’s singles draw, a decision influenced by the allocation of wildcards and considerations of her physical readiness. The mixed‑doubles field promises exciting matchups, with other top players such as Sabalenka, Djokovic, Pegula, and Fritz also participating. Viewers can stream the tournament live via NOW or the Sky Sports app, and the mixed‑doubles draw begins on Tuesday, setting the stage for what could be a memorable run for the iconic Williams and the young Alcaraz.