Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka have confirmed they will team up for the US Open mixed doubles, organisers announced as the two-day exhibition-style event returns to Flushing Meadows on 25 August.
Star pairing headlines first wave of entries
The pairing pairs a 24-time major singles champion with the current WTA world number one for a competition that was controversially overhauled last year to showcase marquee names. Serbia’s Djokovic, now 39, and Belarusian Sabalenka, 28, are among a string of top players to register interest in the short-format event designed to draw attention to the final Grand Slam of the year.
The initial list of entrants contains a mixture of established partnerships and novelty duos, including reunions and repeats from last year’s draw:
- Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula, who reached the 2025 semi-finals, are planning to reunite.
- Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, the runners-up from last year, intend to pair once more.
- Japan’s Naomi Osaka has indicated she would like to play with Kei Nishikori.
- Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina have also signalled an intention to enter.
- Russian duo Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev are among other notable names.
Context: earnings row and uncertain commitments
The revamped mixed doubles has not been without controversy. There were suggestions some prominent players might boycott the event as part of broader demands for a larger share of Grand Slam revenue. But several leading women, including Sabalenka, Swiatek and Pegula — each of whom has publicly supported collective action over pay — have signed up, easing immediate fears of a walkout.
Italy's Sinner ... has pulled out of the upcoming Canadian Open to "prioritise" his health.
Not all of the elite will be present. Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Italy’s Jannik Sinner did not enter this first wave. Alcaraz, a seven-time major champion in singles who partnered Emma Raducanu at last year’s Flushing Meadows event, remains sidelined with a wrist injury and his return date is unclear. Sinner, fresh from winning his fifth major at Wimbledon, has chosen to skip the Canadian Open as he manages his schedule and recovery.
Open questions ahead of the entry deadline
Organisers stress that entries announced now do not guarantee participation when the tournament begins. The formal entry window closes on 17 August, and the final six teams from the registration pool will fill out the draw for the two-day spectacle. The initial names offer a strong promotional line-up, but several factors could yet alter the field: injuries, scheduling decisions and possible continued negotiations over player pay.
Also absent for now is Serena Williams. The 23-time major champion returned at Wimbledon this summer but suffered a knee injury that prevented a planned doubles outing with sister Venus. The door remains open for a late decision, but no commitment has been made.
| Pairing | Note |
|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic & Aryna Sabalenka | High-profile new pairing for the two-day event |
| Jack Draper & Jessica Pegula | Reuniting after 2025 semi-final run |
| Iga Swiatek & Casper Ruud | Last year’s runners-up, planning to pair again |
The mixed doubles reboot aims to inject star power into the US Open’s latter stages, giving fans short, high-profile matchups. With the entry deadline still weeks away, the entry list is likely to evolve, but Djokovic and Sabalenka’s alliance already provides a headline-grabbing storyline as New York prepares for the final Grand Slam of the season.
