The US Open mixed doubles picture is set: Swiatek out, Pegula-Fritz reunite and more
Tennis NewsMonday, 24 August 2026 at 04:30
The US Open mixed doubles tournament is now set, with the main draw revealing several major changes just days before the competition begins. Iga Swiatek is the biggest name to withdraw, ending her planned partnership with Casper Ruud after a remarkable stretch that saw her win the Canadian Open and reach the Cincinnati semifinals.
Swiatek's withdrawal is one of several changes to a draw already packed with some of the biggest names in tennis. Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz will make one of the most anticipated pairings of the tournament, while world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will team up with Novak Djokovic. Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz have also reunited after the withdrawals of Jack Draper and Elena Rybakina.
Diana Shnaider has meanwhile found a new partner in Ruud after initially being scheduled to play alongside Daniil Medvedev. The Norwegian therefore remains in the tournament despite losing his original partner, while Shnaider retains her place in the direct-entry field.
The mixed doubles event will begin with qualifying on Monday, with eight teams competing for the two remaining places in the 16-team main draw. The first-round matchups are already set, however, producing several intriguing battles and giving the star-studded tournament an immediate sense of occasion.
Sabalenka and Djokovic face Fernandez and Tiafoe
The top seeds Sabalenka and Djokovic will begin against Fernandez and Tiafoe, giving the American-Canadian pairing a particularly difficult opening assignment. Tiafoe will arrive in New York almost immediately after his run to the Cincinnati Open final, where he lost to Arthur Fils on Sunday.
That leaves less than 48 hours between Tiafoe's Masters 1000 final and his mixed doubles debut. Sabalenka and Djokovic, meanwhile, enter as one of the most high-profile teams in the field, combining the current women's world No. 1 with the most decorated players in tennis history.
Svitolina and Monfils will also face an intriguing first-round test against Eala and Auger-Aliassime. The married couple are competing together during Monfils' farewell season, while Eala and Auger-Aliassime form another young and ambitious partnership.
Another seeded team, Bencic and Cobolli, will face Townsend and Zverev, while Shnaider and Ruud will meet the No. 2 seeds Pegula and Fritz.
Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz await a qualifier
The biggest wildcard pairing in the tournament will begin against a qualifier, giving Williams and Alcaraz an opportunity to ease into their highly anticipated partnership. Williams is returning to the US Open after her competitive comeback, while Alcaraz is also making his return to action following more than four months away from singles competition.
Their presence gives the mixed doubles tournament a major headline attraction even before the first ball is struck. The pairing was confirmed with a wildcard after weeks of speculation surrounding a possible collaboration between the 23-time Grand Slam champion and the seven-time major winner - who will make his first appareance on court after more than 4 months.
Muchova and Mensik will also face a qualifier, while Navarro and Paul meet the No. 3 seeds Anisimova and Tien. Andreeva and Rublev will take on defending champions Errani and Vavassori in another standout first-round matchup.
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2026 US Open mixed doubles main draw
| Team | vs | Team |
| [1] Aryna Sabalenka / Novak Djokovic | vs | Leylah Fernandez / Frances Tiafoe |
| Elina Svitolina / Gael Monfils | vs | Alex Eala / Felix Auger-Aliassime |
| [4] Belinda Bencic / Flavio Cobolli | vs | Taylor Townsend / Alexander Zverev |
| Serena Williams / Carlos Alcaraz | vs | Qualifier |
| Karolina Muchova / Jakub Mensik | vs | Qualifier |
| Emma Navarro / Tommy Paul | vs | [3] Amanda Anisimova / Learner Tien |
| Mirra Andreeva / Andrey Rublev | vs | Sara Errani / Andrea Vavassori |
| Diana Shnaider / Casper Ruud | vs | [2] Jessica Pegula / Taylor Fritz |
The draw leaves several of the tournament's biggest names on a potential collision course from the opening round, with Sabalenka and Djokovic facing a difficult test against Fernandez and Tiafoe, while Pegula and Fritz begin against Shnaider and Ruud. Williams and Alcaraz have the most intriguing route on paper with a qualifier first up, but the defending champions Errani and Vavassori already face a demanding opening matchup against Andreeva and Rublev.
2026 US Open mixed doubles qualifying draw
First Spot
| Team | Team | |
| Erin Routliffe / Lloyd Glasspool | vs | [3] Luisa Stefani / Neal Skupski |
| [2] Gabriela Dabrowski / Harri Heliovaara | vs | Kristina Mladenovic / Marcelo Arevalo |
Second Spot
| Team | Team | |
| [WC] Peyton Stearns / Christian Harrison | vs | [4] Aleksandra Krunic / Mate Pavic |
| [1] Katerina Siniakova / Henry Patten | vs | Tatjana Maria / Valentin Vacherot |
The qualifying draw will determine the two final teams in the 16-team main draw, with the winners of the first two matchups meeting for one spot and the winners of the other two doing the same on the opposite side.
Several experienced doubles players are therefore just one win away from a place alongside the tournament's biggest mixed doubles partnerships.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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