Djokovic and Sabalenka confirmed for US Open mixed doubles
Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka are set to team up for the US Open mixed doubles, headlining the first batch of entries for the revamped two-day competition that gets underway on August 25, reports BritPanorama.
The 39-year-old Serbian and 28-year-old Belarusian form arguably the most eye-catching partnership announced so far for the event, which was controversially restructured last year to draw in the sport’s biggest names.
Former British number one Jack Draper and American Jessica Pegula are also set to reunite after reaching the semi-finals together in 2025. Their pairing is among several high-profile teams confirmed in this initial wave of sign-ups, with the entry window remaining open until August 17.
Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, who finished as runners-up last year, have committed to partnering once more, while Japanese duo Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori are also among those who have signalled their intention to compete. American Taylor Fritz has paired with two-time Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina, and Russia’s Mirra Andreeva will join forces with compatriot Andrey Rublev.
The two dominant forces in men’s tennis, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, are both absent from the entry list. Alcaraz, a seven-time major winner who partnered Emma Raducanu at Flushing Meadows last year, continues to recover from a wrist problem with no firm return date established. Sinner, fresh from claiming his fifth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, skipped the event in 2025 and has also withdrawn from the Canadian Open to focus on his physical well-being.
Serena Williams, who had to withdraw from Wimbledon doubles, has not yet entered either. The 23-time major singles champion returned to action at Wimbledon last month but picked up a knee injury that prevented a planned doubles outing with sister Venus. Her absence at this stage does not rule out a later entry.
The six partnerships with the strongest combined singles rankings will gain automatic main-draw places, with eight wildcard spots and two further berths available through qualifying on August 24. Last year’s champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, the Italian doubles specialists, are aiming to defend their crown next month. The pair were notably the only dedicated doubles team given a spot in the inaugural revamped draw – a decision that drew sharp criticism.
Errani and Vavassori themselves called the format changes “profoundly wrong” in a joint statement, yet went on to win the title and declared they had accomplished their “mission”. Britain’s world doubles number one Henry Patten has entered alongside Czech partner Katerina Siniakova. The restructured event features a condensed scoring system in the opening rounds and a new scheduling position ahead of the singles draws, with a $1 million (£740,000) prize fund specifically intended to entice the sport’s marquee names.
The anticipation builds as the US Open approaches, once again highlighting the ever-evolving landscape of tennis, where partnerships may just prove pivotal in the hunt for glory.
