Sixteen pairs will compete in the mixed doubles event, scheduled for 25-26/8 on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Djokovic and Sabalenka are the most anticipated duo on this year's entry list. Other notable pairings include Alexander Zverev and Taylor Townsend, Casper Ruud and Iga Swiatek, Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina, and Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula.

Djokovic (left) and Sabalenka at an event ahead of the 2025 Australian Open, on Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia in 1/2025. Photo: Sky

Since 2025, the US Open has revamped its mixed doubles format, aiming to attract top players from both the ATP and WTA tours. This new format has quickly gained traction, drawing many major singles stars while also featuring doubles specialists. The champions of the inaugural and only previous edition, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, are set to return and defend their title.

Meanwhile, reigning men's singles champion Carlos Alcaraz will not participate in the mixed doubles event. He is currently recovering from a wrist injury and seeks to avoid increasing his workload. The Spanish player previously partnered with Emma Raducanu at the 2025 tournament.

The tournament will also feature prominent Asian players. Philippine number one Alexandra Eala will partner with Felix Auger-Aliassime. Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori, who is expected to retire after the 2026 season, will make his first US Open mixed doubles appearance alongside compatriot Naomi Osaka.

Six pairs have already secured direct entry into the mixed doubles main draw, with their seeding also determined. Organizers will finalize the remaining entries based on each player's singles ranking after the Canada Masters 1000 concludes in early august.

Matches leading up to the final will utilize a shortened format: best of three short sets, each played to four games with no-ad scoring. If a set reaches 4-4, a tie-break will decide the winner. The final, however, will follow a traditional three-set format, retaining the golden point rule. Should a deciding set be necessary, teams will compete in a 10-point super tie-break.

This new format is not only compact and fast, concluding within two days before players transition to singles matches, but also offers significant prize money. The champion pair will receive one million USD, five times the previous amount, surpassing both Wimbledon and Roland Garros. The runner-up pair will earn 400,000 USD, four times more than in previous years. Semifinalists will take home 200,000 USD, and quarterfinalists 100,000 USD. Even pairs eliminated in the round of 16 will receive 20,000 USD to share.

The US Open, the final grand slam of the year, will run from 30/8 to 13/9 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, on hard courts. 2026 marks the 146th edition of the tournament. Last year, men's singles champion Alcaraz and women's singles champion Sabalenka each received approximately five million USD in prize money.