US Open mixed doubles field swells with real-life couples, still no Alcaraz or Sinner
The US Open 2026 Mixed Doubles Championship has significantly expanded its entry list, now featuring real-life couples Elina Svitolina/Gael Monfils and Alex de Minaur/Katie Boulter. Despite the growing star power and record prize money, notable absences include Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who remain unlisted for the event.
Gael Monfils, Elina Svitolina, 2026 | © Bestimage / PsNewz
The US Open added a wave of new pairings to its 2026 Mixed Doubles Championship entry list, expanding the field well beyond the 16 marquee teams first unveiled in late July – but Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner remain absent from the event altogether.
The new entries include two genuine off-court couples for the first time in the event’s revamped era: married pair Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, and Alex de Minaur with wife Katie Boulter.
They join a fresh batch of pairings that includes :
• Venus Williams with Alexander Bublik
• Karolina Muchova with Jakub Mensik
• Jelena Ostapenko with Marcelo Arevalo
• Maria Sakkari with Karen Khachanov
• Emma Navarro with Tommy Paul
• Tatjana Maria with Valentin Vacherot
• Anna Kalinskaya with Lorenzo Musetti
• Reese Brantmeier with Michael Zheng
• And three doubles-specialist pairings in Gabriela Dabrowski with Harri Heliovaara, Demi Schuurs with Julian Cash, and Caty McNally with Robert Cash.
Eala debut with Auger-Aliassime
The expanded list also brings Alexandra Eala her tournament debut, pairing with Felix Auger-Aliassime, while Kei Nishikori plays the event for the first time in what he has said will be his final season on tour.
They add to the group of marquee pairings already confirmed, headlined by the blockbuster of Novak Djokovic and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, alongside 2025 finalists Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula, and Elena Rybakina with Taylor Fritz. Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are also back to defend their title.
Despite the expanded field, neither Alcaraz nor Sinner appear anywhere on the list, continuing a theme from the initial announcement. Both were regulars in the star-studded 2025 edition – Alcaraz played alongside Emma Raducanu, while Sinner had entered with Katerina Siniakova before withdrawing – but neither has been paired for 2026.
Sinner’s absence follows his decision to skip the Canadian Masters in Montreal to manage his schedule ahead of the US Open singles event, while Alcaraz continues his build-up from a long-term wrist injury toward a planned singles return at Cincinnati.
The event’s growing appeal is also financial: last year’s winning team collected a record $1 million, a 400 percent jump on previous years that put the mixed doubles champions level with the men’s and women’s doubles winners.
The Mixed Doubles Championship again runs inside Fan Week at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, from August 24 to 26.
