Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka will join forces for the revamped US Open mixed doubles event, headlining a star-studded lineup announced by the USTA for the 2026 tournament's opening week.
The 39-year-old Serbian and the 28-year-old Belarusian world No. 1 are among the blockbuster pairings set to take the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium on 25-26 August, as the US Open doubles competition returns following its controversial overhaul last year.
The pairings were confirmed on Monday, with the entry window open until 17 August. The six teams with the best combined singles rankings will earn direct acceptance, while eight wildcards and two qualifying spots (decided on 24 August) complete the 16-team draw.
Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, last year's runners-up, will team up again, while American star Taylor Fritz partners two-time major champion Elena Rybakina. Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper — semi-finalists in 2025 — are reuniting, and Naomi Osaka will play alongside compatriot Kei Nishikori. Russian duo Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev also feature.
Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori will look to retain their title. The Italian pair famously defeated Swiatek and Ruud in last year's final, completing what they called their "mission" after publicly criticising the format overhaul.
Notable absentees include Carlos Alcaraz, who is still recovering from a wrist injury and partnered Emma Raducanu in 2025, and Jannik Sinner, who won his fifth Grand Slam at Wimbledon last month but has opted to prioritise his health and skipped the Canadian Open. Serena Williams, who made her comeback at Wimbledon but sustained a knee injury, has not yet entered.
The revamped format — featuring shorter scoring in early rounds and a dedicated two-day window before the singles main draw — divided opinion last year but proved a commercial success, with the USTA offering appearance fees reported to be up to $500,000 per player. Ticket prices range from $39 for upper-tier seats on day one to over $500 for courtside on day two.
With eight of the world's top players committing to the event, the US Open mixed doubles is poised to be one of the most anticipated attractions of the 2026 season.
Sources
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/czrj8mdj4kxo
- https://sport.sky.it/tennis/2026/07/27/us-open-2026-doppio-misto-coppie
