Serena Williams will join forces with Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open this week as the two Grand Slam champions headline a revamped mixed doubles competition in New York.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion returned to competitive tennis in June, four years after stepping away from the sport, and has since played three doubles matches. She also made her singles comeback at Wimbledon, where she lost in three sets to Maya Joint.
Williams will not compete in the US Open singles draw after the final wildcard was awarded to fellow American Sofia Kenin. She was also beaten alongside sister Venus at the Cincinnati Open on Monday in her first match since suffering a knee injury at Wimbledon.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, is preparing to return after more than four months away from competition because of a wrist injury. The Spaniard has won seven Grand Slam titles and will use the mixed doubles event as part of his preparations for the singles tournament.
Together, Williams and Alcaraz have won 44 Grand Slam titles across singles and doubles, and their high-profile partnership is expected to attract significant attention when the competition begins on August 24.
The US Open mixed doubles event was significantly revamped last year to bring more singles stars into the competition. The changes included shorter matches, with sets decided after four games, no-ad scoring and a 10-point match tie-break replacing a deciding set.
The format drew criticism from several doubles specialists, who felt the changes reduced opportunities for established doubles players. Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori were the only specialist pairing to receive a wildcard this year.
Several other major names will also compete. World number one Aryna Sabalenka will partner 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, while Jessica Pegula will team up with Taylor Fritz. Six-time major winner Iga Swiatek will play alongside Casper Ruud.
Elina Svitolina will also partner her husband Gael Monfils, who is preparing for his final Grand Slam before retirement.
For Williams and Alcaraz, the event offers more than the chance to entertain the New York crowd. Both players are returning from injury setbacks, making the matches an opportunity to regain rhythm, sharpen their movement and test their fitness in a competitive environment.
The mixed doubles tournament will run from August 24 to 26, four days before the US Open singles draw begins. Williams and Alcaraz will hope their unlikely partnership can produce another memorable chapter at Flushing Meadows.