Sabalinka and Dodig top the mixed doubles entry list at the US Open

Organizers announced on Monday that world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, top the initial entry list for the mixed doubles competition at this year’s US Open, as the tournament hosts its second edition under a new format.

The participant list features several of the game’s top stars, including six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, alongside Casper Ruud, world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, and American Taylor Fritz. Also included are the pairs Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori, Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, as well as defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.

Mixed doubles matches will again take place during the week preceding the main singles draw, from August 24 to 26. Last year, organizers made radical changes to the tournament format to attract more top singles players by reducing the number of participating teams and scheduling the event independently within the tournament calendar. Registration closes on August 17. The six highest-ranked teams, based on the combined individual rankings of each pair, will receive direct entry into the main draw, which consists of 16 teams. Eight additional teams will receive wild cards, while the remaining two spots will be decided through a new eight-team qualifying draw introduced this year.

The new format achieved notable commercial success in its inaugural edition last year, drawing large crowds and filling the stands, while also seeing participation from several of the sport’s top singles stars.

Nevertheless, the format faced criticism from some doubles specialists, who argued that the new structure reduces opportunities for teams specializing in doubles. Errani and Vavassori successfully retained their title last year, defeating Swiatek and Ruud in the final.