Serena Williams and rising star Carlos Alcaraz have officially entered the mixed‑doubles draw at this year’s US Open, securing a wildcard that guarantees them a spot in the tournament. While the partnership promises an exciting blend of experience and youthful energy, Williams has confirmed that she will not be competing in the women’s singles event in New York.
The pairing marks Williams’ first competitive appearance at Flushing Meadows since the 2022 edition, where she fell in the third round to Croatia’s Ajla Tomljanović. After a long hiatus from the professional circuit, the 23‑time Grand Slam champion made a brief return earlier this summer, playing singles at Wimbledon and partnering with her sister Venus in the women’s doubles at the Cincinnati Open. Those outings demonstrated that she still possesses the fire and skill that have defined her career, but the physical demands of a singles schedule remain a significant consideration.
In a press release, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced the wildcard for the mixed‑doubles team, noting that Williams previously captured the mixed‑doubles crown back in 1998 alongside Belarusian specialist Max Mirnyi. That victory was a highlight in a career that already includes six US Open women’s singles titles and a total of 23 Grand Slam singles championships. The new collaboration with Alcaraz, the defending men’s champion who is looking to retain his title after a wrist injury forced him out of competition from April until recently, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the event.
The decision to forego singles play was confirmed when the USTA awarded its final women’s singles wildcard to Sofia Kenin, effectively closing the door on a potential Williams entry. Veteran doubles specialist Jamie Murray addressed the situation on Sky Sports Tennis, explaining that while Williams has not taken a singles court since Wimbledon, it is unclear whether she feels physically prepared to tackle the rigors of a singles draw at this stage of her comeback. "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 announced his intention to defend his US Open men’s singles title after a period of rehabilitation, will be balancing his own recovery with the added responsibility of a mixed‑doubles partnership.
The Spanish teenager has already shown resilience, returning to form on the ATP Tour and securing several key victories en route to the upcoming tournament. His collaboration with Williams is expected to draw considerable media attention, given the contrast between his youthful vigor and her legendary status. Other notable mixed‑doubles entries include World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka teaming up with four‑time US Open champion Novak Djokovic, and American Jessica Pegula joining forces with fellow U.S.
player Taylor Fritz after original partners Jack Draper and Elena Rybakina withdrew from the competition. The mixed‑doubles main draw is set to kick off on Tuesday, offering fans a chance to see a variety of playing styles and nationalities compete in a format that often produces unexpected results. For viewers who want to follow the action, the US Open can be streamed without a contract through the NOW platform, and matches are also available on the Sky Sports App. In addition to live coverage, Sky Sports provides a suite of tennis content, including scores, results, upcoming match schedules, video highlights, and curated clips of the most spectacular shots from the tournament.
The inclusion of Serena Williams in the mixed‑doubles field, even without a singles campaign, underscores her continued influence on the sport and her willingness to explore different competitive avenues as she manages her physical health. Her partnership with Alcaraz not only offers a unique storyline for the tournament but also serves as a symbolic passing of the torch, linking one of tennis’s most decorated champions with a player poised to dominate the next generation. As the US Open approaches, anticipation builds around how far this unlikely duo can progress in the draw.
While the mixed‑doubles event traditionally receives less spotlight than the singles competitions, the star power of Williams and the rising momentum of Alcaraz guarantee that every match they play will be closely watched by fans worldwide. Whether they capture the title or simply provide entertaining tennis, their collaboration adds an extra layer of excitement to an already thrilling Grand Slam season.