Mixed doubles change has fan week booming at US…
The magnitude of the announcement Saturday — and the way in which one singular briefing reverberated throughout the tennis ecosystem — said it all. It captured every thing that the U.S. Open’s fan week, and particularly its 16-pairing combined doubles match, had turn into.
There was the revelation that Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion and one of the best doubles gamers of all time who just lately restarted her profession after retirement, would pair with Carlos Alcaraz, the 23-year-old phenom already with seven Grand Slam titles to his identify.
Atmosphere during the 2026 Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, NY. ZUMAPRESS.com
There was the “Let’s gooooo!” with a flame emoji that Alcaraz posted to X, signaling some palpable pleasure from the Spaniard returning from an injury. The U.S. Open isn’t just about the main draw anymore. As a revamped event last yr, the combined doubles match took off, and when fan week returned Sunday — with its staple occasions set to decide back up Monday — at Flushing Meadows, it remained one of the featured items for spectators.
But before the highlight of combined doubles, the early phases of fan week will unfold. Spectators can enter the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for free to attend open practices, qualifying matches — which run from Monday through Thursday — and more by registering for a move online, while premium tickets can be found for combined doubles and other particular occasions. Cultural dance performances and other family-friendly actions will happen throughout the week. Marvel could have daily comedian e book giveaways. Fans can buy their first Honey Deuce of the season or their seventh.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka walks onto the court with her canine, Ash, for a observe session during Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. AFP via Getty Images
And Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., five-time U.S. Open champion Roger Federer will share the court with Andre Agassi, John McEnroe and Andy Roddick — the last American males’s tennis participant to win a Grand Slam match back in 2003 — in a ticketed exhibition at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The six-day fan week attracted 239,307 followers last yr, according to the U.S. Open — marking a 10 p.c increase from 2024. The two-day combined doubles match offered out. And this yr, that event will start with eight groups competing for two qualifying entries Monday before the first spherical and quarterfinals start Tuesday — with followers in a position to watch in Louis Armstrong Stadium for free with their fan access move starting at 10 a.m. and in Arthur Ashe Stadium with a paid ticket starting at 11 a.m.
Atmosphere during the 2026 Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, NY, on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Lev Radin/Shutterstock
Then, the ticketed semifinals start the next day at Arthur Ashe Stadium at 7 p.m. before the ultimate follows.
Williams and Alcaraz comprise one of the most hyped pairings, while Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz will probably be companions in an all-American one. Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic will pair. Two-time defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori return, while Casper Ruud-Diana Shnaider, Taylor Townsend-Alexander Zverev, Emma Navarro-Tommy Paul, Belinda Bencic-Flavio Cobolli, Amanda Anisimova-Learner Tien, Alex Eala-Felix Auger-Aliassime, Leylah Fernandez-Frances Tiafoe, Elina Svitolina-Gael Monfils, Mirra Andreeva-Andrey Rublev and Jakub Mensik-Karolina Muchova are the other duos in the sphere.
Tennis Hall of Famer Andre Agassi participates in the festivities for Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York. Andrew Schwartz/SIPA/Shutterstock
The overhauled combined doubles match has created a far different actuality for the USTA before the singles matches start Sunday. By shifting the match to fan week, it allowed singles stars who in any other case may not take part to be a part of. There’s a $1 million prize. There are three units in each match, with a 10-point tiebreak serving as the third set if needed after the first two units are performed to 4 factors.
The curiosity in fan week has skyrocketed. It’s no longer just the appetizer, no longer merely a placeholder. The U.S. Open will still be outlined by whoever clutches the nine-pound Tiffany & Co.-made trophy at the end. By whether or not an American males’s tennis participant can snap the drought. By whether or not somebody new in the ladies’s subject, maybe the fan favourite Pegula, can finally attain the head of the match.
But before then, there would be the buzz of fan week. That, by this level, has began to turn into a fixed.”
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