US Open mixed doubles 2026: Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz given wildcard draw
Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz have been granted a wildcard entry into the 2026 US Open mixed doubles tournament. The move is part of an ongoing effort to increase the profile of the mixed doubles format by featuring high-profile singles stars.
Why it matters
The inclusion of tennis legends in doubles formats highlights the sport's strategy to boost viewership and engagement through star power.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Serena Williams won the US Open mixed doubles title in 1998 - five years before Carlos Alcaraz was born
Serena Williams will team up with Carlos Alcaraz for the US Open mixed doubles this coming week.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion made her return to tennis in June, four years after "evolving away" from the sport.
She has played three doubles matches since her return and made her singles comeback at Wimbledon, losing in three sets to Maya Joint.
However, Serena will not feature in the singles in New York City as the final wildcard place was awarded to American Sofia Kenin.
Serena lost in the doubles with elder sister Venus at the Cincinnati Open on Monday in her first match since injuring her knee at Wimbledon.
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