Sabalenka, Djokovic Headline Star-Studded 2026 US Open Mixed Doubles Field

Sabalenka and Djokovic headline star-studded field

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic headline a star-studded 16-team field announced by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) on Monday for the 2026 US Open Mixed Doubles Event.

The prestigious tournament, which offers a $1 million prize to the winning team, has attracted some of the biggest names in tennis following its successful revamp in 2025. The format change saw the prize money increase five-fold from $200,000 to $1 million, with runners-up earning $400,000 and even first-round losers taking home $20,000.

Philippines star Alexandra Eala, who achieved her career-high singles ranking of world No. 29 in March 2026 to become the highest-ranked Filipino player in WTA history, will make her debut in the event alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime. The 21-year-old former 2022 US Open girls' singles champion continues to make history for Philippine tennis with each milestone achievement.

Other notable pairings include Alexander Zverev and Taylor Townsend, Diana Shnaider and Daniil Medvedev, and Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev, creating what promises to be one of the most competitive fields in the tournament's history.

Defending champions return

Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori will return to Flushing Meadows to defend their title. The Italian duo, who captured their third Grand Slam mixed doubles title together in 2025 after previously winning the 2024 US Open and 2025 French Open, remain one of the most formidable partnerships in the discipline.

The initial 2026 field also includes several teams who featured in last year's tournament, including 2025 runners-up Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, as well as Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper. Djokovic with Sabalenka will face Swiatek and Ruud in what promises to be a blockbuster encounter, while Pegula and Draper will also reunite after competing together in 2025.

Diverse partnerships

The field features North American pair Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe, siblings Peyton Stearns and Preston Stearns, and a new partnership between Amanda Anisimova and Learner Tien. Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori will make his first appearance in the competition in what is expected to be his final year as a professional, partnering four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.

The revamped format, introduced in 2025, compressed the tournament into just two days before the main singles draw begins, with matches played on the two main show courts, Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium. The qualification criteria allocates eight teams based on combined singles rankings and eight teams through wildcard selections, enabling top singles stars to participate.

While the format has proven successful in attracting marquee names, it drew criticism from some doubles specialists who viewed it as prioritizing entertainment over traditional doubles expertise. Former doubles world No. 1 Kristina Mladenovic branded it a

glorified exhibition

and questioned whether it qualified as a true Grand Slam event.

Alcaraz speculation continues

Anytime you can bring women and men together on the same team, you showcase tennis at its best,

USTA chief executive Craig Tiley said in a statement.

Eight additional teams are still expected to be added through wildcards, meaning there could yet be a chance for fans to see Carlos Alcaraz take part in the high-profile event. Alcaraz had been widely rumoured to partner Serena Williams, who made a surprise return to competitive tennis during the grass-court season in June after a four-year absence.

Williams competed at Queen's, the Berlin Open and Wimbledon, where she returned to singles action but suffered a first-round defeat to Maya Joint. She was also scheduled to play doubles alongside sister Venus Williams at Wimbledon, but a knee injury forced her to withdraw.

For now, however, neither Alcaraz nor Serena features on the initial 2026 entry list, leaving fans waiting to see whether the blockbuster partnership will eventually become a reality.