Carlos Alcaraz, Serena Williams form dream team for US Open mixed doubles

Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz will form a blockbuster mixed doubles partnership at the 2026 US Open after receiving a wild card. While Alcaraz prepares to defend his singles title, Williams' participation in the singles draw remains uncertain.

In Short

• Williams returns to Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2022
• The 23-time Grand Slam champion is a six-time US Open singles winner
• Alcaraz returns after a right wrist injury and will defend his US Open singles title

Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz are set to create one of the most eye-catching partnerships at the 2026 US Open, with the tennis icons teaming up in the mixed doubles event. The USTA has handed the pair a wild card, setting up a blockbuster return for Williams and a long-awaited comeback for Alcaraz. The mixed doubles main draw begins Tuesday.

For Williams, the partnership marks her first appearance at Flushing Meadows since 2022. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion returned to competitive tennis this summer after a four-year hiatus. She also reunited with sister Venus for doubles at the Cincinnati Open, although the pair lost their opening-round match.

The 44-year-old will now return to the stage where she enjoyed some of the greatest moments of her career. Williams is a six-time US Open singles champion and also has mixed doubles success in New York, having won the 1998 title alongside Max Mirnyi. She and Venus have also won two US Open women's doubles titles together.

A BLOCKBUSTER PARTNERSHIP FOR TWO GENERATIONS

Alcaraz, meanwhile, arrives in New York with his own comeback story. The Spaniard has been sidelined since April with a right wrist injury and missed the French Open and Wimbledon. He has now confirmed that he will return to defend his US Open singles title, making the mixed doubles partnership an intriguing part of his comeback.

The timing makes the pairing even more fascinating. Alcaraz will be stepping back onto a competitive court after months away, while Williams continues her unexpected return to the sport. The Spaniard's mixed doubles campaign could provide valuable match practice ahead of his singles title defence.

Williams and Alcaraz represent two different generations of tennis, but both arrive with extraordinary Grand Slam credentials. Williams has 23 major singles titles, while Alcaraz has already established himself as one of the leading players of his generation.

The mixed doubles field is packed with star power, with other high-profile combinations including Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka. For Williams, however, the focus will be on enjoying another chapter at a tournament that has defined much of her legendary career.

As for whether Williams will also play singles in New York, that remains undecided. She has not confirmed her participation, although the USTA is still holding one women's wild card that could potentially be used by the six-time US Open champion. Williams did play singles at Wimbledon earlier this summer, meaning another singles appearance in New York cannot be ruled out.

For now, fans are guaranteed at least one sighting of Serena Williams at Flushing Meadows — and it will come alongside one of the brightest young stars in men's tennis.

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