Full Breakdown
Alcaraz and Williams Pair for 2026 US Open Mixed Doubles
8/23/2026, 10:45:27 AM
Mixed Doubles Partnership Announced
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) confirmed on Saturday that 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams and reigning US Open men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz have been granted a wild-card entry into the 2026 US Open mixed-doubles draw. The pair will compete in a 16-team field that begins on August 24 and concludes on August 26, four days before the singles main draw opens on August 30. The winning team will share a US $1 million prize.
Background: Injuries and Returns
Alcaraz’s return follows a four-month absence caused by inflammation of a tendon in his right wrist, first diagnosed while defeating Otto Virtanen at the Barcelona Open. The injury forced him to miss the French Open, Wimbledon and the remainder of the clay and grass seasons. Ranked No. 2, he announced on social media that he will defend his US Open singles title after the hiatus.
Williams returned to competition in June after a four-year break, playing singles at Wimbledon where she lost in the first round and sustained a right-knee injury. She has since appeared in doubles with her sister Venus at the Cincinnati Open. Williams will not enter the US Open singles draw; the USTA awarded the remaining women’s singles wild-card to Sofia Kenin.
Tournament Format and Field
The mixed-doubles championship is a two-day, 16-team event. Matches are best-of-three sets with no-ad scoring; the first two sets are played to four games, and a 10-point match tiebreak replaces a full third set. The semifinals and final on August 26 will use conventional six-game sets but retain the no-ad and tiebreak format.
In addition to Williams and Alcaraz, the draw features several high-profile pairings: world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka with Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek with Casper Ruud, and defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who received a wild-card as the only doubles-specialist team.
Data & Statistics
- Combined Grand Slam tally: 44 titles (Alcaraz’s seven men’s singles majors plus Williams’s 23 singles, 14 doubles and two mixed titles).
- Prize money for the mixed-doubles champions: US $1 million, split equally.
- Alcaraz’s 2026 record before the US Open: 22–3, including an Australian Open title and a Doha victory.
- Williams’s US Open mixed-doubles history: champion in 1998 with Max Mirnyi.
Official Statements & Responses
The USTA’s announcement highlighted the partnership as “a powerhouse mixed-doubles pair” and noted the wild-card as part of its effort to showcase marquee talent in the revamped format. Alcaraz posted “Here we go!” with an American-flag emoji on X. Williams responded on X with “Let’s gooooo!” accompanied by a fire emoji and a tag of Alcaraz.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the U.S. Open this year,” — Jannik Sinner, dethroned defending champion
- “When you achieve the goals you set up yourself at the beginning of the year, it feels amazing,” — Carlos Alcaraz, reigning champion
What’s Next
Qualifying for the mixed-doubles field takes place on August 24, with eight teams competing for the final two main-draw spots. First-round and quarterfinal matches are scheduled for later in the week, followed by semifinals and the championship match on August 26 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows. The outcomes will set the tone for Alcaraz’s singles campaign beginning on August 30 and provide Williams with a high-profile competitive appearance in her US Open comeback.