The US Open’s revamped mixed doubles event has attracted a blockbuster entry list, with British No. 1 Emma Raducanu teaming up with French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz, while Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Naomi Osaka are among the other big names set to feature.
The tournament, scheduled for August 19-20 as a standalone event ahead of the US Open’s main draw (August 24), marks a radical shift for the USTA—one designed to lure top singles stars into the often-overlooked discipline.
High-Profile Pairings Announced
The USTA unveiled 16 provisional teams on Tuesday, though entries won’t be finalized until the July 28 deadline. The field will be whittled down to eight direct acceptances (based on combined singles rankings) and eight wildcards.
The initial list includes:
– Emma Raducanu (GBR) / Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)
– Zheng Qinwen (CHN) / Jack Draper (GBR)
– Naomi Osaka (JPN) / Nick Kyrgios (AUS)
– Novak Djokovic (SRB) / Olga Danilovic (SRB)
– Aryna Sabalenka / Grigor Dimitrov (BUL)
– Emma Navarro (US) / Jannik Sinner (ITA)
– Jessica Pegula (US) and Tommy Paul (US)
– Jasmine Paolini (Ita) and Lorenzo Musetti (Ita)
– Elena Rybakina (Kaz) and Taylor Fritz (US)
– Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev
– Madison Keys (US) and Frances Tiafoe (US)
– Iga Swiatek (POL) and Casper Ruud (NOR)
– Paula Badosa (SPA) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)
– Belinda Bencic (SUI) and Alexander Zverev (GER)
– Taylor Townsend (US) and Ben Shelton (US)
– Sara Errani (ITA) and Andrea Vavassori (ITA)
Matches will be best-of-three sets, with shortened formats (first-to-four games in early rounds, first-to-six in the final) and a 10-point tiebreak replacing a third set.
USTA Defends Controversial Move
The decision to stage mixed doubles early—effectively sidelining it from the main tournament— drew fierce backlash from doubles specialists when it was announced in February. Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, initially critical of the “profound injustice,” surprisingly entered this year.
But USTA CEO Lew Sherr remains bullish: “Seeing these teams commit proves the players believe in our vision. Fans are in for something special.”
Critics like France’s Kristina Mladenovic (a multiple Slam doubles winner) called the move “terribly shocking,” but the star power on display suggests the gamble might pay off.
With marquee pairings and a fast-paced format, the US Open’s mixed doubles experiment could redefine the event—if the stars show up.
Main Photo Credit: Amber Searls – USA TODAY Sports
