Serena Williams is set to make her return to the US Open alongside Carlos Alcaraz in a highly anticipated mixed doubles partnership.
The United States Tennis Association has awarded Williams and Alcaraz a wild card for the mixed doubles event. The revamped competition begins Tuesday and features several leading singles stars.
The winning pair will share a $1 million prize, adding further attention to the high-profile tournament.
Williams Returns to the US Open
The appearance marks Williams’ first US Open participation since 2022. She stepped away from competitive tennis after that tournament before returning to action this summer.
Williams will not compete in the women’s singles draw in New York. The USTA had reserved a singles wild card in case she entered the tournament.
However, the organisation later awarded the wild card to American Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion.
Williams did compete in singles at Wimbledon this year. However, she suffered a knee injury during her first-round defeat.
She later teamed up with her older sister Venus Williams in doubles at the Cincinnati Open. The sisters could still decide to play together at the US Open.
Alcaraz Joins Williams for Mixed Doubles
Alcaraz will enter the mixed doubles competition while preparing to defend his US Open singles title.
The Spanish star recently returned after recovering from a right wrist injury. The injury had kept him sidelined since April.
Alcaraz currently holds the world No. 2 ranking. His partnership with Williams therefore brings together two major names from different generations.
Following the announcement, Alcaraz welcomed the pairing with an enthusiastic message on X.
“Let’s gooooo!” Alcaraz posted on X after the partnership was announced, tagging Williams.
Williams also has a history of success in mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows. She won the 1998 US Open mixed doubles title alongside Max Mirnyi.
That victory came before she captured any of her six US Open singles championships.
US Open Introduces Revamped Mixed Doubles Format
The USTA has significantly revamped the mixed doubles event this year. The competition now features 16 teams competing across two days.
The new format aims to attract more leading singles players to the mixed doubles draw. As a result, several high-profile combinations have already emerged.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will team up with Novak Djokovic. Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek will partner Casper Ruud.
Taylor Townsend and Alexander Zverev will also compete together in the revamped event.
Several Changes to the Mixed Doubles Field
The USTA has also made changes to the field following several player withdrawals.
Americans Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz will now team up. Their partnership follows the withdrawals of Jack Draper and Elena Rybakina because of injuries.
Emma Navarro and Tommy Paul have received another wild card. Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik have also secured a place through a wild card.
Diana Shnaider will remain in the competition after her original partner Daniil Medvedev withdrew. She can now select a new partner for the event.
The final two spots in the 16-team draw will be decided through an eight-team qualifying tournament on Monday.
The USTA has awarded qualifying wild cards to Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev. Peyton Stearns and Christian Harrison have also received qualifying wild cards.
With Williams returning and Alcaraz preparing for his title defence, their partnership adds another major storyline to this year’s US Open.
