Serena Williams will return to the U.S. Open to play mixed doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz at Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York [1, 2].
The pairing brings together one of the most successful players in tennis history with a current global star, marking a high-profile return for both athletes to the tournament courts.
Williams, 44 [4], has not competed at the U.S. Open since 2022 [1]. While she will not compete in the singles draw, she is returning to the tournament for this specific mixed-doubles partnership [5].
Alcaraz is also using the event to mark his own return to competition. This will be his first tournament appearance since April 2024, following a wrist injury [3].
To facilitate the pairing, both players received a wild-card entry into the mixed-doubles draw [6]. Their matches are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday of the tournament week [2, 3].
The event marks a significant moment for the New York venue, as it welcomes back a former champion who has been absent from the U.S. Open for four years [4]. The partnership combines Williams' veteran experience with the agility of Alcaraz, who has been sidelined by injury for several months [3].
“Serena Williams will return to the U.S. Open to play mixed doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz”
This partnership serves as a strategic promotional event for the U.S. Open, leveraging the star power of a returning legend and a top-ranked young talent. By granting a wild-card entry, the tournament ensures high viewership and ticket demand while allowing Alcaraz to test his recovery from a wrist injury in a lower-stakes format than singles competition.
