Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz have received a wildcard entry to compete in the mixed doubles event at the 2024 US Open, tournament organizers confirmed on August 22. The main draw for the mixed doubles competition begins on August 26 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York.
Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, will make her first competitive appearance at the US Open since 2022. The wildcard entry marks her return to professional tennis after a four-year hiatus, which she ended in June 2024 with a doubles appearance at the HSBC Championships in London. She previously won the US Open mixed doubles title in 1998 alongside Max Mirnyi.
Alcaraz, the defending US Open singles champion, will partner Williams in the mixed doubles event. He announced his return to defend his singles title after recovering from a right wrist injury that sidelined him since April 2024. In February 2024, he became the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam by defeating Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.
Wildcard Pairings and Draw Details
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) confirmed the wildcard entries for the mixed doubles event, which also includes Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic as well as Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz. The mixed doubles main draw begins on August 26, with matches scheduled at Arthur Ashe Stadium and other courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Williams has not yet confirmed whether she will compete in the women’s singles or women’s doubles events at the US Open. The USTA has reserved a women’s singles wildcard for her if she chooses to enter. She previously accepted wildcard invitations to play singles and doubles at Wimbledon in June 2024, where she lost in the first round of singles and withdrew from doubles due to a knee injury.
Recent Competitive Returns
Williams returned to doubles action at the Cincinnati Open on August 17, partnering with her sister Venus Williams in their first tournament together since 2022. The pair lost in the opening round to Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova. This followed her June 2024 return at the Queen’s Club Championships in London, where she competed in doubles after nearly three years away from professional tennis.
Alcaraz, ranked world No. 1, has emphasized his focus on defending his US Open singles title while also participating in the mixed doubles event. His participation in mixed doubles adds a new dynamic to his preparation for the tournament, which begins on August 26 for singles and doubles events.
Historical Context and Significance
Williams’ wildcard entry into the mixed doubles event at the US Open follows her historic career, which includes 23 Grand Slam singles titles and six US Open singles championships. Her last competitive appearance at the US Open was in 2022, where she lost in the first round of singles. The mixed doubles wildcard provides an opportunity for her to compete in a major tournament while potentially easing her transition back to full-time competition.
Alcaraz, at 21 years old, has quickly established himself as a dominant force in men’s tennis, with his 2024 US Open title being a highlight of his career. His partnership with Williams in mixed doubles introduces a high-profile pairing that could attract significant attention during the tournament.
The US Open, one of tennis’s four Grand Slam events, will run from August 26 to September 8, with the mixed doubles final scheduled for September 5.