Djokovic and Sabalenka Headline 16-Team Field for $1 Million US Open Prize

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka lead an elite 16-team mixed doubles field at the US Open, competing for a record $1 million winner-take-all prize.

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka headline a 16-team mixed doubles field competing for a $1 million winner-take-all prize at the upcoming US Open. The 24-time Grand Slam champion and the two-time defending women’s singles winner lead an entry list that features six automatic selections based on combined singles rankings as of August 17. Matches are scheduled for August 25-26, primarily utilizing the 23,771-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium and the 14,061-capacity Louis Armstrong Stadium to accommodate the high-profile participants.

Key details

Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud return to the draw after finishing as runners-up in the 2024 edition. They are joined by a formidable pairing of Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, alongside the Japanese duo of Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) confirmed that Jessica Pegula will partner with Jack Draper, while Mirra Andreeva is set to compete with Andrey Rublev. These pairings represent a strategic shift by tournament organizers to integrate top-tier singles talent into the mixed discipline through significant financial incentives.

Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are back to protect their title, though the Italian pair required a wild card for entry due to their current singles standings. They remain one of the few specialist-heavy teams in a bracket dominated by individual stars. Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten represent another duo with significant doubles pedigree, while the sibling tandem of Peyton and Preston Stearns received an entry to compete on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows.

Latest developments

Tournament logistics involve eight wild cards granted by the USTA and a two-team qualifying event held on August 24. This preliminary stage consists of six direct entries and two additional wild cards vying for the final spots in the main bracket. Other confirmed participants include Diana Shnaider playing with Daniil Medvedev, and Amanda Anisimova teaming up with 18-year-old Learner Tien. International representation continues with Alex Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime, plus Leylah Fernandez paired with Frances Tiafoe.

Scoring for the initial rounds through the semifinals will follow an accelerated format where sets are played to four games. A tiebreaker is triggered at 4-all, and a 10-point match tiebreak replaces the traditional third set to ensure rapid play. For the championship final, the rules revert to standard scoring with sets to six games and a tiebreaker at 6-all. If the finalists split the first two sets, a 10-point match tiebreaker determines the million-dollar winners.

USTA CEO Craig Tiley noted that the event's evolution aims to maximize fan engagement, following a 2024 season that saw 78,000 visitors on the grounds and consecutive sellouts at the main stadium. Television coverage for the two-day main draw will be handled by ESPN properties. Additional teams rounding out the field include Belinda Bencic with Flavio Cobolli, Taylor Townsend with Alexander Zverev, and Elena-Gabriela Ruse with Nuno Borges. This diverse roster ensures that every match features at least one player currently ranked inside the global top 20.