The US Open’s mixed doubles event is shaping up as one of the most talked-about in tennis history, with a record prize pool of $1 million, a star-studded field, and a touch of controversy as the draw moves forward in New York. Eight teams have earned direct entry, while another eight were granted wild cards, a revamp the USTA says is designed to boost global attention and give fans a chance to see tennis’s biggest names team up on one of the sport’s most entertaining stages.
On the women’s side, the lineup features top players such as Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina and several others, while the men’s bracket is headlined by Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, with Jannik Sinner also in the mix—though his participation remains under a cloud after a Cincinnati final that ended after 23 minutes due to a medical issue.
That late-career setback has raised questions about Sinner’s ability to compete in doubles at the Open, where his participation would add a compelling dynamic to the event. The US Open’s Senior Director of Player Relations, Eric Butorac, offered an intriguing glimpse into the behind-the-scenes chatter around star pairings. During a recent episode of the Nothing Major Show, he revealed that Sinner had asked whether Serena Williams might be available as a partner, underscoring the appetite among fans and players alike for high-profile collaborations.
The star power extends beyond the men’s and women’s top names. Serena Williams herself remains a figure of potential interest for the mixed doubles showcase, though the field will proceed with or without a Williams pairing. Williams’s absence from a doubles lineup this year would mark another chapter in the ongoing conversation about a potential return to the tour in any capacity, a topic that has lingered in tennis circles with every major event.
In the doubles arena, Venus Williams will pair with Reilly Opelka, a combination that promises experience and power as they face Andrey Rublev and Karolina Muchova in their opening match. On the other side of the draw, Sinner teams up with Katerina Siniakova, with a scheduled clash against Alexander Zverev and Belinda Bencic, offering a compelling test for the American-born star and his partner’s contrasting strengths.
Amid the swirling talk about partnerships and rankings, Sinner did offer an update on his own health and readiness for New York. He apologized to fans for the abrupt finish to his Cincinnati match, explaining that he felt unwell and hoped to recover quickly. “From yesterday, I didn’t feel great. I thought I would improve during the night, but it came up worse. I tried to come out, tried to make it at least a small match, but I couldn’t handle more, so I’m very sorry,” he said, adding that he remains focused on the US Open despite the setback. Alcaraz echoed the sentiment, stressing that the mood around the doubles event would be shaped by players’ readiness and determination.
As Sinner looks ahead to New York, his goal remains to balance the demands of a demanding singles schedule with the novelty and pressure of a mixed doubles run. After a five-match tour-level losing streak snapped in the Wimbledon final against Alcaraz, his immediate aim is to use a short recovery window to regain peak form and be prepared for the Open, should the opportunity arise to compete with a partner.
The conversation around retirement, reinstatement, and doping rules also threads through the news cycle. World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines require players who come out of retirement to be available for testing for a minimum period before returning to competition at events governed by the World Anti-Doping Code. Butorac commented that Serena Williams’ status in this regard remains a topic of speculation, noting that he hasn’t heard similar updates from Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal.
The event’s organizers emphasize that the revised format is designed to celebrate the doubles format and attract a broader audience by pairing young stars with established veterans, creating storylines that transcend traditional singles rivalries. The mixed doubles field, featuring a blend of current champions and rising talents, is expected to deliver dramatic matches and memorable partnerships that could define the tournament’s mood in New York.
What to watch for as the action approaches:
– The eight direct entrants and eight wild-card teams that will shape the early rounds and potentially set up star-studded quarterfinals.
– The possible Serena Williams connection and how her absence or presence would shift public interest and sponsor enthusiasm.
– Sinner’s health status and how quickly he can regain form for a run in both singles and doubles.
– The balance of experience and youth in mixed doubles pairings, and how players adapt to the unique demands of doubles strategy, where teamwork and positioning matter as much as raw shots.
In addition to the on-court drama, the event is being watched for its potential to elevate the profile of mixed doubles and demonstrate how top players from the singles circuit can collaborate in doubles to create new narratives for fans around the globe. If the field delivers, the US Open’s mixed doubles stage could become a catalyst for broader interest in doubles tennis and for a generation of players to explore partnerships that extend beyond singles rivalries.
Summary: The US Open introduces a record $1 million prize and a star-packed mixed doubles field in a revamped format designed to boost visibility. With eight direct entrants and eight wild cards, a lineup including Swiatek, Pegula, Rybakina, Djokovic, Alcaraz, and Sinner, plus high-profile pairings like Venus Williams with Opelka and Sinner with Siniakova, the event is poised to deliver high drama as players navigate health concerns, potential partner dynamics, and the broader appeal of doubles partnerships on tennis’s biggest stage.
Positive note: The renewed emphasis on mixed doubles offers fans a fresh opportunity to see tennis’s biggest names collaborate in entertaining, fast-paced matches, creating exciting moments that can energize the sport beyond traditional singles competition. If the players bring their best form and teamwork, the 2024 US Open mixed doubles could become a memorable springboard for future collaborations and a new highlight of the tournament.