A sparkling duo: Williams and Alcaraz to team up at the US Open
The two giants will join forces in the mixed doubles tournament that kicks off next week, as the 23-year-old Spaniard will make his first official appearance after about four months. Other collaborations: Djokovic and Sabalenka, Rybakina and Fritz.
In the tennis world, they waited over 130 days for Carlos Alcaraz's comeback to the courts – and it will happen in the most sparkling way possible. The world number 2 will team up with Serena Williams in the mixed doubles tournament at the US Open, which will kick off on August 24. The two received a wild card for the main draw.
Williams, who won 23 Grand Slam titles in singles, returned to tennis in June, four years after stepping away from the sport. Since her return, she has played in three doubles matches, and at Wimbledon she also returned to singles, where she lost in three sets to Maya Joint. On Monday, as part of a collaboration with her sister Venus at the Cincinnati tournament, she lost her first match since injuring her knee at Wimbledon. Alcaraz, who has won seven Grand Slam titles, is expected to return to the courts after more than four months due to a wrist injury. Together, the two have 44 Grand Slam titles in singles and doubles.
The mixed doubles tournament underwent a significant change last year, with the goal of attracting more interest by incorporating singles stars. The game format was shortened, with only four games required in sets before the semifinals, without advantage, and instead of a third set, a tie-break to 10 points is held. Among the other prominent pairs: Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic, Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, and Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud.
