US Open mixed doubles to feature Djokovic and Sabalenka, Alcaraz and Sinner absent

By Ama Serwah — 27 July 2026 — 3 min read

The US Open mixed doubles event is set to feature a lineup of notable players, with Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka forming a new partnership. The tournament organizers have confirmed 16 pairs for the event, which will coincide with the qualifying rounds of the main tournament.

This marks the first time Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, and women’s world No. 1 Sabalenka will compete together in mixed doubles. The pair has collectively secured six singles titles at Arthur Ashe Stadium and will aim for another championship in New York. The mixed doubles competition is scheduled for August 25 and August 26, with the first and second rounds on the initial day, followed by the semi-finals and finals on Arthur Ashe Stadium on the second day.

Key Pairings and Absences

Among the confirmed teams are last year’s finalists, Casper Ruud and Iga Swiatek. They were defeated in the previous year’s final by Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who are also returning to defend their title. Other prominent pairings include world No. 2 Elena Rybakina with American Taylor Fritz. Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, who reached the semi-finals last year, will reunite for this year’s competition. Naomi Osaka is set to play with her compatriot Kei Nishikori.

However, two of the top male players, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, are not yet listed in any confirmed mixed doubles pairings. Both players are on the singles entry list for the US Open. Alcaraz has not competed on the men’s tour since April of this year due to a wrist injury, which led to his withdrawal from his French Open title defense and Wimbledon. Sinner, after his Wimbledon victory, withdrew from the Montreal Masters 1000 event at the beginning of August to prioritize his health.

The absence of these players highlights ongoing discussions about the demanding tennis calendar. Alcaraz had previously commented in 2024 that the number of tournaments could be detrimental to players. Djokovic also withdrew from Montreal for similar reasons. Both Alcaraz and Sinner are entered into the Cincinnati Open in late August to assess their fitness before heading to Flushing Meadows.

Event Structure and Other Teams

The US Tennis Association (USTA) CEO, Craig Tiley, emphasized the appeal of mixed doubles, stating that bringing men and women together on the same team showcases tennis at its best. He also noted that the event aims to engage new audiences and provide fans with another opportunity to see top stars compete together. Last year’s event saw Arthur Ashe Stadium sell out during ‘Fan Week’ for the mixed doubles, indicating strong public interest.

The full list of confirmed mixed doubles teams includes: