Serena Williams & Carlos Alcaraz Pair Up for 2026 US Open Mixed Doubles

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced on August 22, 2026 that Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz have been granted a wild-card into the mixed-doubles draw of the 2026 US Open. The main draw begins on Tuesday, August 25, and runs through August 26. The winning team will split a $1 million prize purse.

Serena Williams will play mixed doubles with Carlos Alcaraz in her return to the US Open Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams will play together in the mixed doubles of the US Open ESPNCBS NewsThe IndependentBleacher ReportNBC 5 - Dallas - Fort Worth - KXAS

Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, returns to the US Open after a 2022 appearance. Alcaraz, the defending men’s singles champion, is back from a wrist injury that sidelined him from the French Open, Wimbledon and Cincinnati. He announced his comeback on August 20, 2026 with a “Here we go” post.

The Independent

The mixed-doubles event was revamped in 2025 to a two-day, 16-team format using “fast-fours” scoring (best-of-three sets to four games, with a match-deciding tiebreak).

BBC News

• April 14, 2026 – Alcaraz injures his right wrist at the Barcelona Open.

Sports Illustrated

• August 20, 2026 – Alcaraz posts a comeback announcement.

Sports Illustrated

• August 22, 2026 – USTA releases the mixed-doubles wild-card list, confirming the Williams-Alcaraz pairing.

Bleacher Report

• August 24–26, 2026 – Mixed-doubles competition; first round on August 25, semifinals on August 26.

Carlos Alcaraz gives promising sign about his Serena Williams US Open vow

• August 30, 2026 – Singles draws commence.

Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams will play together in the mixed doubles of the US Open

• The pair’s combined Grand Slam tally is reported as either 44 or 46 titles.

New York Times

• The field includes 16 teams: direct entries based on combined singles rankings and eight wild-cards. Other notable teams are Novak Djokovic / Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula / Taylor Fritz, and Iga Swiatek / Casper Ruud.

ESPN

• Champions split a $1 million prize.

New York Times

The USTA highlighted the “superstar” nature of the Williams-Alcaraz team. Alcaraz’s social-media post read “Here we go.” After Wimbledon, Williams’s coach Rennae Stubbs said Williams intends to continue competing, including at the US Open.

Carlos Alcaraz gives promising sign about his Serena Williams US Open vow

Sources differ on the exact combined Grand Slam count (44 vs. 46). No definitive figure has been provided, and a women’s singles wild-card for Williams remains unassigned.

Alcaraz, Serena Williams get US Open mixed doubles wild card

The partnership brings high-profile attention to mixed doubles, a format that has struggled for visibility. For Alcaraz, the event offers a low-impact test of his recovering wrist before the singles draw. For Williams, it could serve as a step toward a full singles return.

Bleacher Report

Qualifying will be held on Monday, August 24, with two teams advancing to the main draw. Williams-Alcaraz play their first match on August 25. The US Open singles competition starts on August 30, and Williams’s participation in that draw will be confirmed later in the week.

ESPN