Djokovic and Sabalenka to compete together in mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows

Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic and world No. 1 Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka top the list of pairs competing in the mixed doubles event at the US Open, the final Grand Slam tournament of the year at Flushing Meadows. Meanwhile, world No. 1 Italian Jannik Sinner and second-ranked Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz will not participate in the tournament, which underwent extensive reforms last year. These reforms included adopting a shorter points system in the early rounds and scheduling the doubles competitions over two days before the start of the singles draws, as part of an effort to encourage top players to take part. Italian specialists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who have criticized the changes, will defend their title from last year, having earned a prize of one million dollars. Djokovic, 39, and Sabalenka, 28, are certain to be among the top six pairs selected based on world rankings when the registration deadline closes on August 17.