Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz Rally for Victory in US Open Mixed Doubles Debut
Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz defeated Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool in the first round of US Open mixed doubles, winning 5-3, 4-1. The pair overcame an early deficit to secure the match. It marked Williams' return to Arthur Ashe Stadium since 2022, while Alcaraz was playing his first match after a wrist injury.
Williams and Alcaraz trailed 3-1 in the opening set before breaking serve twice to take it 5-3, then cruised through the second set. The duo earned a wild-card entry and will next face the fourth-seeded team of Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli. Williams was appearing at Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time since 2022, having played five warm-up events this summer. Alcaraz returned from a wrist injury that sidelined him for four months, including the French Open and Wimbledon.
This pairing could draw casual fans back to tennis by blending generational star power, potentially boosting US Open viewership and ticket interest. Williams’ continued participation may inspire older athletes and broaden the event’s appeal beyond traditional tennis audiences. Alcaraz’s comeback also signals a healthy return for a young star, which could strengthen the sport’s future narrative. However, mixed doubles remains a secondary draw, so the impact may be limited to short-term buzz rather than lasting change.