New York, Aug 25:
Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams will begin their much-anticipated US Open mixed doubles campaign against a qualifier after the draw for the revamped event was announced, while top seeds Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka will face Frances Tiafoe and Leylah Fernandez.
The star-studded mixed doubles tournament has attracted some of the biggest names in tennis. Alcaraz and Williams received a wild card and have emerged as one of the headline pairings of the competition. Their participation has generated considerable interest, with the Spaniard and American bringing together two generations of Grand Slam success.
Djokovic and Sabalenka, the top-seeded pairing, have also been handed a high-profile opening assignment. They will meet Tiafoe and Fernandez in the first round, setting up one of the most intriguing matches of the opening stage.
The mixed doubles event is being staged in a revamped format, with the competition getting underway ahead of the main singles draw. The 2026 US Open action began on August 24 with mixed doubles and singles qualifying, while the main draw is scheduled to start on August 30.
With several leading men’s and women’s players joining forces, the mixed doubles competition is expected to provide an additional attraction at this year’s New York Grand Slam.