Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic headline a star-studded field for the 2026 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship, running August 24–26 in New York. The reimagined tournament features a $1 million prize for the winning team, drawing top singles stars alongside unique wild-card pairings like Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz.
Tennis fans heading to Flushing Meadows this August will witness an all-star lineup in the mixed doubles draw that defies conventional tournament expectations. While the main singles action at the 146th edition of the US Open gets underway on August 30, the reimagined mixed doubles championship kicks off a week early according to scheduling details released by tournament organizers.
Star-Studded Pairings and Wild-Card Surprises
The tournament field blends top-ranked singles stalwarts with blockbuster wild-card entries. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has partnered with 24-time men’s Grand Slam singles champion Novak Djokovic to headline the direct entry list alongside other elite combinations.
Wild cards have added considerable star power and intrigue to the draw. Serena Williams will make a competitive return to the US Open alongside Carlos Alcaraz after being handed a wildcard entry by tournament organizers. Alcaraz returns to action after missing months with a wrist issue, while Williams looks for her first competitive match at Flushing Meadows since 2022.
Another notable partnership features rising star Alex Eala teaming up with Felix Auger-Aliassime after both players connected through their shared agency. Auger-Aliassime noted the unique dynamic of playing alongside Eala’s substantial fan base.
“Well, same agency and then I think the people in our teams kind of talked and made that happen. But yeah, it’s a great opportunity because obviously I didn’t play last year, but this time around to kind of feel what it’s like to have the Eala effect and fan base behind me. It’s going to be it’s going to be funny because she’s younger than me, but she has a fan base, right? Like she’s carrying the the crowd. So, it’s going to be interesting.”
Felix Auger-Aliassime, Tennis Player
Schedule, Venues, and Prize Money Stakes
The three-day sprint begins on Monday, August 24, with qualifying matches at the Grandstand. The main draw action runs across August 25 and 26, utilizing the tournament’s two largest venues.
The tournament format aims to maintain fast-paced, high-intensity competition. Matches through the semifinals feature best-of-three sets with games played to four, no-ad scoring, and a 10-point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set.
Financial incentives remain a primary driver for top-tier participation.
Balancing Doubles Specialists and Singles Stars
When the reimagined mixed doubles format debuted last year, it faced initial criticism from traditionalists for shutting out doubles specialists. Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori needed a wild card to enter this year’s tournament because their singles rankings remained too low for direct entry.
However, organizers expanded pathways for specialist tandems by introducing an eight-team qualifying tournament.
The Strategy Behind the Big Names
For many singles headliners, entering the mixed doubles draw serves a dual purpose.
The tournament has been described as an innovation designed to engage new audiences and provide fans with another opportunity to see the biggest stars competing together by bringing men and women together on the same team to showcase tennis at its best.
Beyond drawing crowds, male singles competitors often view the early week competition as valuable preparation. Auger-Aliassime noted that the mixed doubles format provides the perfect test to get his eye in on court while the pressure of the main singles fortnight remains temporarily absent.
