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Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz Get US Open Wild Card

8/22/2026

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Summary

Williams, Alcaraz Return

U.S. Tennis Association awarded Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz a mixed-doubles wild card for the US Open.
The mixed-doubles draw starts on Aug. 25, and the champions will split $1 million.
Williams returns to the US Open after 2022, skipping singles competition.
Alcaraz returns after a wrist injury that sidelined him since April.
Williams re-entered anti-doping monitoring last fall and posted training videos showing readiness.

Summary

Williams, Alcaraz Tickets

Tickets for the mixed doubles match with Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz start at $68, far below the $302 Day 1 price.
The mixed doubles competition runs during fan week and requires a separate ticket for attendance.
NBC 5 will broadcast the mixed doubles matches and offers free streaming for viewers.
The championship match is set for Wednesday, Aug 26, before the singles draw begins on Aug 30.

History

Historical Context

In 1999 Serena Williams won her first US Open singles title, earning $1.5 million and helping raise the tournament’s total purse to $15 million while ESPN viewership rose 12 percent. The USTA now leverages that star-driven model by granting Williams and Carlos Alcaraz a mixed-doubles wild card for New York’s summer fan week, offering $68 tickets to expand access and boost revenue.

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Williams, Alcaraz Return

U.S. Tennis Association awarded Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz a mixed-doubles wild card for the US Open.
The mixed-doubles draw starts on Aug. 25, and the champions will split $1 million.
Williams returns to the US Open after 2022, skipping singles competition.
Alcaraz returns after a wrist injury that sidelined him since April.
Williams re-entered anti-doping monitoring last fall and posted training videos showing readiness.

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