Williams and Alcaraz to play US Open mixed doubles

Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz will compete in the US Open mixed doubles this upcoming week. The renowned 23-time Grand Slam singles champion made her tennis comeback in June, four years after taking an extended break from the sport. Serina has so far played three doubles matches since her return and made her singles return at Wimbledon, losing to Maya Joint in three sets.

However, she will not participate in the singles at the US Open as the final wildcard spot went to Sofia Kenin. Alcaraz, a seven-time major winner, will be participating for the first time in over four months since recovering from a wrist injury. The duo, who have amassed a combined 44 singles and doubles Grand Slam titles, have been granted a wildcard entry into the main draw of the competition.

This year's mixed doubles event saw a controversial revamp that allowed top singles players to participate, with the top six pairs based on their combined singles rankings receiving direct entry and another eight given wildcards. Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, the only doubles specialist pairing receiving a main-draw wildcard, will compete alongside other high-profile pairs such as Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic, Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz, and Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud.

Other notable pairings include Ukrainian Elina Svitolina and her husband Gael Monfils. The US Open mixed doubles format, which was introduced last year, has been met with mixed reactions from doubles specialists who criticized the move. However, the event proved successful for Errani and Vavassori, who won the title and earned a $1 million prize.

Williams' return to tennis has been widely anticipated, and her partnership with Alcaraz in this mixed doubles event is expected to provide a fun and competitive atmosphere for both players.