US Open mixed doubles 2026: Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz given wildcard draw

Open, not in the singles draw but as a participant in the mixed doubles event. The wildcard draw places the duo directly into the main draw, bypassing qualifying rounds. The announcement has been covered by a range of major outlets. NBC News led the coverage, emphasizing Williams’s return and her partnership with Alcaraz.

The New York Times echoed the pairing and highlighted the wildcard status. Sky Sports framed the collaboration as a “tennis icon teaming up with a rising star.” ESPN noted that Williams will not contest the singles draw, confirming her focus on doubles with Alcaraz. The BBC’s report specifically mentioned the wildcard draw and placed the news within the broader US Open mixed doubles field. Mixed doubles has historically received less media attention than singles, making a high‑profile pairing unusual.

A wildcard entry at a Grand Slam allows a player or team to bypass qualification, typically reserved for former champions, local favorites, or promising newcomers, underscoring the tournament’s desire to showcase this marquee partnership. Coverage does not yet specify the exact first‑round opponent for the Williams‑Alcaraz team, but the mixed doubles schedule will be released in the coming days. Observers will watch how the duo adapts to mixed‑gender tactics and whether their combined experience translates into early‑round success. The tournament’s official draw, once published, will confirm match times and potential pathways through the bracket, providing further data for analysts tracking the impact of high‑profile wildcard entries on tournament dynamics.