Sabalenka, Djokovic to headline U.S. Open mixed doubles

World number one Aryna Sabalenka and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic are set to lead the initial entry list for this year's U.S. Open mixed doubles championship. Organizers announced on Monday that the revamped event is returning for its second edition.

Several other high-profile pairings have also entered the competition. These include six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek with Casper Ruud, world number two Elena Rybakina with Taylor Fritz, Naomi Osaka with Kei Nishikori, Jessica Pegula with Jack Draper, and the defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.

The mixed doubles championship is scheduled to take place the week before the singles main draw, from August 24-26. Last year, organizers overhauled the format to attract more top singles players by reducing the field and giving the event a standalone place on the calendar.

The entry window closes on August 17. After this date, the top six teams based on combined singles rankings will qualify directly for the 16-team main draw. Eight teams will receive wildcards, and the remaining two spots will be determined through an eight-team qualifying draw introduced this year. The reimagined format proved successful commercially in its debut last year, drawing sellout crowds and attracting many top singles players, despite some criticism from doubles specialists who felt it sidelined established doubles teams. Errani and Vavassori went on to win the title, defeating Swiatek and Ruud in the final.