US Open Mixed Doubles Championship Welcomes 13 New Teams, Including Venus Williams
NEW YORK — The U.S. Tennis Association announced the addition of 13 new teams to the US Open mixed doubles championship on Monday, bringing the total number of teams to 29. Among the new entries is Venus Williams, who will partner with Alexander Bublik. The championship aims to attract top singles players, boasting a $1 million prize for the winning duo.
The main draw for the tournament will be held on August 25 and 26. Initial entries included top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and 24-time Grand Slam singles champion Novak Djokovic. Both athletes are expected to be safely included in the final field due to their high rankings.
Notable new entries feature Elina Svitolina and her husband Gael Monfils, who is anticipated to play his final Grand Slam event. Newlyweds Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur will also compete together. Additional new teams include Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik, Anna Kalinskaya and Lorenzo Musetti, Emma Navarro and Tommy Paul, Maria Sakkari and Karen Khachanov, Tatjana Maria and Valentin Vacherot, Reese Brantmeier and Michael Zheng, Jelena Ostapenko and Marcelo Arevalo, Gabriela Dabrowski and Harri Heliovaara, Demi Schuurs and Julian Cash, and Caty McNally and Robert Cash.
Teams have until August 17 to enter. The six duos with the highest combined singles rankings will automatically qualify for the main draw. The USTA will grant wild cards to eight teams, with two additional teams earning spots through a qualifying tournament on August 24.
Other previously announced pairings include Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, the Japanese duo of Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori, Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev, Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli, Diana Shnaider and Daniil Medvedev, Amanda Anisimova and Learner Tien, Alex Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime, Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Townsend and Alexander Zverev, Elena-Gabriela Ruse and Nuno Borges, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten, and siblings Peyton and Preston Stearns. Errani and Vavassori are the defending champions and also required a wild card to enter last year’s event due to low singles rankings, a situation that will occur again this year.
Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn
