Serena Williams’ return to the U.S. Open has given the mixed doubles event a headline attraction, with the 44-year-old set to partner Carlos Alcaraz in a first-round match that brings immediate star power and genuine intrigue. It is a notable comeback for Williams, who had not played a match at the tournament since 2022, and it comes with a major prize at stake for the eventual winners.
The pair were set to face Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool on Tuesday in the mixed doubles first round, with the semifinals and final scheduled for Wednesday night. In a tournament that has shifted into its second year of a new-look format, the presence of Williams changes the feel of the event straight away.
Williams brings history back to Flushing Meadows
Williams has long been one of the defining players at Flushing Meadows, where her record across the U.S. Open speaks for itself. She owns 10 U.S. Open championships in total, including six U.S. Open women’s singles titles, two U.S. Open women’s doubles titles and one U.S. Open mixed doubles title.
That mixed doubles success came in 1998, when Williams won the title with Max Mirnyi. More than two decades later, she is back in the same event with another major name beside her, and the occasion feels significant beyond the result itself.
Alcaraz adds another layer to the story
Alcaraz enters as the defending men’s singles champion, which only adds to the appeal of the partnership. The mix of Williams’ experience and Alcaraz’s current status ensures this is one of the most eye-catching combinations in the draw.
The event also carries a clear financial incentive, with the winners set to share $1 million. For a format still finding its place, that sort of prize helps underline why the tournament has given the mixed doubles competition a bigger platform.
For Williams, it is a return that matters simply because of who she is and what she has achieved in New York. For the U.S. Open, it is a reminder that even a single mixed doubles match can feel like an event when Serena Williams is involved.
