Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz to Compete in US Open Mixed Doubles

Tennis legends Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz are set to team up for the US Open mixed doubles, entering the tournament as a wildcard pair. This collaboration pairs the formidable American player, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, with the current men's world No. 2 and reigning US Open singles champion from Spain.

Williams, who stepped away from the sport after the 2022 US Open, made her return to the court in June. She recently participated in the Wimbledon Championships, marking her first singles appearance since her retirement, though she was eliminated in the first round. Williams also competed in the Cincinnati Open women's doubles with her sister Venus this week, but they lost their opening match. She was not invited to compete in the US Open singles this year.

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The tournament organizers have been creating star player combinations in singles and doubles since last year to increase interest in mixed doubles.

Alcaraz, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, is preparing to defend his US Open singles title. He has been recovering from a right wrist injury sustained in April. The pairing with Williams aims to generate significant interest in the mixed doubles event, a strategy the tournament organizers have employed since last year by pairing prominent singles stars.

Other notable pairings in the mixed doubles include Aryna Sabalenka, the women's world No. 1, with Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion. Elina Svitolina and Gaël Monfils, who has announced his retirement, will also form a mixed doubles team. The mixed doubles format, with its shorter sets, can offer players returning from injury an advantage in preparing for singles matches.

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The mixed doubles format is somewhat of an event, and while it has promotional aspects for the tournament and sponsors, the shortened sets offer an advantage for players returning from injury to prepare for singles.