Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic have formed a solid partnership (Image: Getty)
Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka headline a star-studded cast of tennis stars for the 2026 US Open mixed doubles event. It comes ahead of the second year of the revamped event, which includes a whopping £750,000 prize for the winning team.
Last year saw some of tennis’ biggest names compete in the tournament, with the new format proving a major success. It was the perfect warm-up before the main draw action got underway at Flushing Meadows, and it’s back for yet another instalment this year.
Djokovic and Sabalenka sit top of the bill, but they’re one of several high-profile partnerships for the 2026 edition. Others include Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, who will face Djokovic and Sabalenka in round one.
Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper were partnered together in 2025, and the duo will team up in New York once again this year. Meanwhile, North American pair Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe will be hoping to spring a surprise, while siblings Peyton Stearns and Preston Stearns have been doubled up.
Alexandra Eala will compete in the event for the first time alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime, with Amanda Anisimova and Learner Tien also paired up. Other notable pairings include Alexander Zverev and Taylor Townsend, Diana Shnaider and Daniil Medvedev, Kei Nishikori and Naomi Osaka, and Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev.
Last year’s event was won by Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, with the two set to return in a bid to defend their crown this time around. A further eight teams are expected to be added to the line-up via wildcards, meaning there is still a chance Carlos Alcaraz – who is recovering from injury – could feature.
The US Open mixed doubles event will feature many big-hitters (Image: Getty)
The all-conquering Spaniard has been absent since mid-April and was forced to miss the French Open, as well as Wimbledon. There has been hope that Alcaraz will be back in time to compete at the US Open, however, with time ticking before the final Slam of the year gets underway, there are still questions surrounding his participation.
Commenting on the situation, former tennis star Greg Rusedski hypothesised: “To have a chance to play the US Open, you absolutely have to play Cincinnati.
“If he plays in Cincinnati and his pulse holds, it’s going to be exciting news for our sport, because we really need him to come back. If, on the other hand, he does not play in Cincinnati, we will know that the US Open will not be possible, and he has been away from competition for a very long time now.
“He must be prudent, because he needs to gradually increase the workload and we must not rush the return.”
The main draw action in the Big Apple gets underway on Sunday, August 23 and runs for two weeks until Sunday, September 13.
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