World number one Aryna Sabalenka and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic headline the initial entry list for this year’s U.S. Open mixed doubles championship, organisers said on Monday, as the revamped event returns for its second edition.
Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek will partner Casper Ruud, while world number two Elena Rybakina teams up with Taylor Fritz. Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori, Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, and defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are also among the high-profile pairings entered.
The mixed doubles competition will once again be staged from Aug. 24-26, during the week before the singles main draw, following last year’s overhaul designed to attract more leading singles players by reducing the field and giving the event a standalone slot on the calendar.
The entry window closes on Aug. 17, after which the top six teams based on combined singles rankings will qualify automatically for the 16-team main draw.
Eight teams will receive wildcards, while the remaining two places will be determined through an eight-team qualifying tournament being introduced for the first time this year.
The revamped format proved commercially successful in its debut edition last year, attracting sellout crowds and a host of top singles players despite criticism from some doubles specialists, who argued it reduced opportunities for established doubles teams.
Errani and Vavassori retained the title last year by defeating Swiatek and Ruud in the final.
