Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic Headline Star-Studded US Open Mixed Doubles Entry List

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic headline the initial list of 16 teams entered for the 2026 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship, highlighting the tournament's growing appeal to the sport's biggest singles stars.

The revamped mixed doubles event, introduced last year with a $1 million winner's prize, will be played over August 25-26 at Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium, with all matches televised on ESPN platforms.

Among the other high-profile pairings are Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, who finished runners-up in 2025, Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori, and Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper. Other notable teams include Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev, Diana Shnaider and Daniil Medvedev, Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Townsend and Alexander Zverev, and siblings Peyton Stearns and Preston Stearns.

Teams can enter until August 17, with the six highest-ranked pairs earning direct entry into the main draw based on their combined singles rankings. The USTA will award eight wild cards, while two additional teams will qualify through a tournament on August 24.

Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are also entered but are expected to require a wild card again due to their lower singles rankings. The addition of a qualifying tournament this year provides more opportunities for specialist doubles teams to compete.

USTA CEO Craig Tiley said the mixed doubles championship showcases tennis at its best by bringing men and women together on the same team while attracting new audiences. The tournament drew 78,000 fans during its debut under the new format last year.

Through the semifinals, matches will be played in a best-of-three-set format with sets to four games, tiebreaks at 4-4, and a 10-point match tiebreak instead of a deciding third set. The championship match will use traditional six-game sets, with a tiebreak at 6-6 and a 10-point match tiebreak if required.