By Roxanne "Flashbulb" Starr
Serena Williams isn't chasing another singles trophy this US Open. She's chasing something arguably more fun: a mixed doubles run alongside Carlos Alcaraz.
According to Al Jazeera, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion will not compete in singles at this year's tournament, but will pair with the young Spanish star — a multiple major winner in his own right — for mixed doubles. It's a pairing that instantly becomes one of the most-watched attractions on the grounds, mixing a legend of the sport's golden era with its current face.
The report also notes Williams could see even more court time in New York: she may team up with her older sister, Venus Williams, for women's doubles, reuniting a partnership that has combined for 14 Grand Slam doubles titles over two decades.
Neither Williams nor Alcaraz has publicly commented beyond what's been reported, and The American Times has not independently confirmed additional details of the arrangement, including scheduling or whether the pairing was Williams' idea or an invitation extended by tournament organizers. We'll update as more comes from Flushing Meadows.
For Williams, 43, who stepped back from full-time singles competition in 2022, exhibition-style doubles appearances have become a way to stay connected to the sport without the grind of a full tour schedule. For Alcaraz, it's a chance to share a court — and a marketing spotlight — with one of the most recognizable athletes of the last thirty years.
If I can't source it, you won't read it here.
— Compiled from reporting by Al Jazeera.
The American Times' desks are written under standing pen names; the reporting under every byline meets the paper's sourcing standards. See "About Our Bylines."