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Serena Williams, Carlos Alcaraz Lose US Open Mixed Doubles

8/27/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz lost in the mixed-doubles quarterfinals at the 2026 US Open.
The USTA gave the pair a wild-card entry into the 16-team mixed-doubles draw.
Winners would split a $1 million prize if they captured the title.
Williams recorded her first US Open match win in 1,453 days, beating Routliffe and Glasspool 5-3, 4-1.
Alcaraz returned after a four-month wrist injury, playing his first competitive match since April.

History

Historical Context

Billie Jean King’s 1973 victory over Bobby Riggs at the Houston Astrodome—watched by an estimated 50 million U.S. viewers and 30,472 spectators—proved that mixed-gender showdowns could draw massive audiences and lucrative payouts. Building on that precedent, the 2026 US Open granted a mixed-doubles wildcard to Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz, a pairing designed to replicate the commercial boost of the historic ‘Battle of the Sexes.’

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Story summary

Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz lost in the mixed-doubles quarterfinals at the 2026 US Open.
The USTA gave the pair a wild-card entry into the 16-team mixed-doubles draw.
Winners would split a $1 million prize if they captured the title.
Williams recorded her first US Open match win in 1,453 days, beating Routliffe and Glasspool 5-3, 4-1.
Alcaraz returned after a four-month wrist injury, playing his first competitive match since April.

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