Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic will team up for the first time in the mixed doubles championship at the U.S. Open, according to the Yahoo. The pair, who have combined for six singles titles at Arthur Ashe Stadium, are among the initial 16 teams entered in the event.
Djokovic and Sabalenka Headline US Open Mixed Doubles Entries
The mixed doubles tournament was overhauled last year to attract top singles stars, featuring a $1 million prize for the winners. Because the six teams with the best combined singles rankings at the time the entry window closes on August 17 are automatically accepted into the main draw, Djokovic—currently ranked No. 5 at age 39—and Sabalenka, the two-time defending U.S. Open women’s champion, are expected to be safely in the field.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The main draw is scheduled for August 25-26, with all matches held in Louis Armstrong Stadium and Arthur Ashe Stadium. The tournament will be televised on ESPN properties, while Sky Sports will broadcast the event starting August 30.
Matches through the semifinals will follow a specific format: best-of-three sets with sets to four games, tiebreakers at 4-all, and a 10-point match tiebreak in place of a third set. The final will utilize standard scoring, with sets to six games, tiebreakers at 6-all, and a 10-point match tiebreak if necessary.
Field Composition and Entry Requirements
In addition to Djokovic and Sabalenka, other entered teams include:
- Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud (2025 runners-up)
- Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz
- Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori
- Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper
- Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev
- Diana Shnaider and Daniil Medvedev
- Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe
- Taylor Townsend and Alexander Zverev
- Peyton and Preston Stearns (siblings)
The field will ultimately consist of 16 teams: six based on combined singles rankings, eight wild cards awarded by the USTA, and two teams emerging from an eight-team qualifying round on August 24. The qualifying tournament will feature two wild cards and six direct entries.
Two-time defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are also entered. As traditional doubles specialists with lower singles rankings, the Italians will again require a wild card to enter the event.
Notable Absences and Stakes
Several high-profile players have not yet entered the mixed doubles draw. Carlos Alcaraz, a seven-time major champion, is recovering from a wrist injury, and it remains uncertain when he will return. Jannik Sinner, who won his fifth major at Wimbledon last month, has pulled out of the Canadian Open to prioritize his health and has not entered the mixed doubles event.
Serena Williams, a 23-time major singles champion, is also absent from the first wave of entries. After making a comeback at Wimbledon last month, Williams sustained a knee injury that prevented a planned doubles appearance with her sister, Venus. However, officials noted that the initial list does not guarantee Williams will not play.
USTA CEO Craig Tiley described the championship as an “innovation” designed to engage new audiences. Tiley stated that bringing men and women together on the same team showcases tennis at its best and provides fans another opportunity to see the biggest stars compete together. The revamped format previously drew 78,000 fans to the grounds and sold out Arthur Ashe Stadium on both days of competition.
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