Djokovic-Sabalenka Team Up for US Open Mixed Doubles as Alcaraz, Sinner Miss Out

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka headline a star-packed entry list for the revamped 2026 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship, with the 24-time Grand Slam champion teaming up with the women's world No. 1 for the two-day event in New York.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) unveiled an initial list of 16 teams on Monday, featuring several of the biggest names in the sport ahead of the tournament, which will be held on August 25 and 26 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Djokovic-Sabalenka lead blockbuster field

Djokovic and Sabalenka enter as the highest-ranked pairing based on combined singles rankings and are expected to secure one of the six automatic main-draw places when entries close on August 17.

The field also includes several high-profile partnerships, including Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori, Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev, and Diana Shnaider alongside Daniil Medvedev.

Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori have also entered after winning the title in each of the past two editions.

Alcaraz, Sinner and Gauff absent from initial list

Carlos Alcaraz is among the notable absentees from the initial entry list as he continues his recovery from a wrist injury sustained earlier this month. The Spaniard is expected to return at the Cincinnati Open.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has also not entered the event, while former US Open champion Coco Gauff is another notable omission.

There had been speculation that Serena Williams could partner Alcaraz in the mixed doubles championship, but the duo does not feature in the initial list announced by the USTA.

Tournament format and qualification

The mixed doubles championship will once again be played over two days, with all matches scheduled at Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The top six teams based on combined singles rankings after the August 17 entry deadline will qualify automatically for the main draw. The USTA will award eight wild cards, while the remaining two places will be decided through an eight-team qualifying tournament on August 24.

Through the semi-finals, matches will be played as best-of-three short sets to four games with tiebreaks at 4-4 and a 10-point match tiebreak replacing a deciding third set. The final will revert to traditional six-game sets with a match tiebreak if required.

Craig Tiley on mixed doubles format

USTA tournament director Craig Tiley said the revamped event continues to showcase tennis' biggest stars in a unique format.

"Any time you can bring women and men together on the same team, you showcase tennis at its best. This is exactly what the Mixed Doubles Championship does," Tiley said in a statement.

"The Mixed Doubles Championship is an innovation that will engage new audiences and give our fans another opportunity to see the biggest stars compete together."

Initial US Open Mixed Doubles entry list

Aryna Sabalenka/Novak Djokovic, Elena Rybakina/Taylor Fritz, Mirra Andreeva/Andrey Rublev, Iga Swiatek/Casper Ruud, Belinda Bencic/Flavio Cobolli, Diana Shnaider/Daniil Medvedev, Amanda Anisimova/Learner Tien, Alexandra Eala/Felix Auger-Aliassime, Leylah Fernandez/Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Townsend/Alexander Zverev, Elena-Gabriela Ruse/Nuno Borges, Jessica Pegula/Jack Draper, Naomi Osaka/Kei Nishikori, Sara Errani/Andrea Vavassori, Katerina Siniakova/Henry Patten and Peyton Stearns/Preston Stearns.