Tennis royalty will be on full display at this year’s U.S. Open mixed doubles championship, with world number one Aryna Sabalenka and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic topping the initial list of entrants. Tournament organizers announced the news on Monday as the revamped competition heads into its second year.
The star-studded field also includes six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek paired with Casper Ruud, world number two Elena Rybakina teaming up with Taylor Fritz, Naomi Osaka alongside Kei Nishikori, Jessica Pegula with Jack Draper, and defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.
The mixed doubles event is scheduled for August 24-26, taking place the week before the singles main draw begins. Organizers restructured the format last year, trimming the field and carving out a dedicated spot on the calendar in order to draw more of the sport’s top singles competitors.
Players have until August 17 to enter. Once the entry window closes, the top six teams based on combined singles rankings will earn automatic berths into the 16-team main draw. Eight additional teams will receive wildcards, and the final two spots will be filled through a qualifying draw — a new addition introduced this year.
The overhauled format was considered a commercial hit in its first year, selling out venues and drawing elite players, though some doubles specialists criticized the event for pushing aside established doubles teams. Errani and Vavassori claimed the inaugural title by beating Swiatek and Ruud in the championship match.
