Venus Williams and Alexander Bublik Enter $1M US Open Mixed Doubles Draw

Venus Williams is partnering with Alexander Bublik for the US Open mixed doubles, joining a field that features a $1 million prize for the winning team.

Venus Williams will partner with Alexander Bublik for the US Open mixed doubles championship, joining a field that now includes 29 teams vying for 16 main draw spots. The U.S. Tennis Association announced 13 additional duos on Monday, August 3, 2026, for the tournament scheduled to begin on August 25 and August 26. A $1 million prize awaits the winning team, an incentive introduced last year to attract top-tier singles competitors to the mixed format.

Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked two-time defending US Open women's champion, and Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam singles winner currently ranked No. 5 at age 39, headline the initial entry list. The field also features 2025 runners-up Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud. Two-time defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are also entered, though the Italian pair will require a wild card due to their singles rankings, repeating the circumstances of their previous entry.

New Entries and Married Couples

The latest list of competitors includes several high-profile pairings and married couples. Gael Monfils, who is expected to compete in his final Grand Slam event, will play alongside his wife, Elina Svitolina. Newlyweds Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur have also joined the draw. Other newly announced pairings include Emma Navarro with Tommy Paul, Maria Sakkari with Karen Khachanov, and Anna Kalinskaya with Lorenzo Musetti.

Additional teams confirmed on Monday include Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik, Tatjana Maria and Valentin Vacherot, and Jelena Ostapenko and Marcelo Arevalo. The USTA also listed Gabriela Dabrowski and Harri Heliovaara, Demi Schuurs and Julian Cash, Caty McNally and Robert Cash, and the duo of Reese Brantmeier and Michael Zheng among the new entries.

Qualification and Entry Rules

Teams have until August 17 to enter the tournament. On that date, the six pairings possessing the highest combined singles rankings will receive automatic entry into the main draw. This criteria ensures that the Sabalenka and Djokovic pairing will safely secure a spot in the field. Beyond the ranking-based entries, the USTA will grant eight wild cards to specific teams.

The remaining two spots in the 16-team main draw will be determined through a new qualifying tournament. This preliminary competition is scheduled to take place on August 24.

Previously Announced Field

The initial roster of 16 teams featured several prominent singles stars. Elena Rybakina is set to play with Taylor Fritz, while Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori form an all-Japanese duo. Jessica Pegula is partnered with Jack Draper, and Mirra Andreeva will compete alongside Andrey Rublev. Other established pairings include Belinda Bencic with Flavio Cobolli, Diana Shnaider with Daniil Medvedev, and Amanda Anisimova with Learner Tien.

The draw is further rounded out by Alex Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime, Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe, and Taylor Townsend and Alexander Zverev. Elena-Gabriela Ruse and Nuno Borges are also in the field, as are siblings Peyton Stearns and Preston Stearns. Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten complete the list of previously confirmed participants for the New York event.