Jessica Pegula hails US Open mixed doubles format as premier showcase for tennis stars
American No. 1 Jessica Pegula returned to the US Open mixed doubles with Britain’s Jack Draper, saying the revamped format gives fans a rare chance to watch top men’s and women’s players together. The pair entered the 2025 event as top seeds, defeated Emma Raducanu / Carlos Alcaraz and later Daniil Medvedev / Mirra Andreeva, before falling in a deciding match‑tiebreak to Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in the semifinals.
Pegula praised the mixed‑doubles experiment as “unlike anything else in tennis,” noting the blend of playing styles, personalities and generations. The 2026 mixed doubles draw, set for Aug 24‑26 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, lists high‑profile duos such as Aryna Sabalenka / Novak Djokovic, Elena Rybakina / Taylor Fritz and Mirra Andreeva / Andrey Rublev. Notable absences include Jannik Sinner, who reportedly considered a boycott over prize‑money concerns, and Carlos Alcaraz, who remains sidelined by a wrist injury sustained after Barcelona.
Entries remain open until Aug 17.
Entities: Casper Ruud · Iga Świątek · Jack Draper · Jannik Sinner · Jessica Pegula
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper reached the semifinals in the 2025 US Open mixed doubles. (Both articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Pegula and Draper lost to Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in a match‑tiebreak in the 2025 semifinals. (Both articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Pegula and Draper defeated Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva in 2025 mixed doubles. (Both articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Pegula said the mixed doubles format offers a unique fan experience by combining men’s and women’s top players. (Both articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The 2026 US Open mixed doubles entry list includes Aryna Sabalenka / Novak Djokovic, Elena Rybakina / Taylor Fritz and Mirra Andreeva / Andrey Rublev. (Article 3)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Pegula and Draper defeated Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz in 2025 mixed doubles. (Both articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Carlos Alcaraz has been sidelined by a wrist injury since Barcelona in April. (Article 3)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are not listed in the 2026 US Open mixed doubles draw. (Article 3)