Carlos Alcaraz gets Serena Williams message amid US Open rumors

Carlos Alcaraz has sparked fresh speculation about a potential US Open mixed doubles partnership with Serena Williams after the tennis legend left a cryptic comment on his social media post. The 21-year-old Spaniard, recovering from a wrist injury, shared training photos with the caption 'On the right path' on July 12, prompting Williams to respond: 'They not ready.'

What happened?

Serena Williams' comment under Alcaraz's training update has fueled rumors about a blockbuster mixed doubles pairing at the 2026 US Open. The 23-time Grand Slam champion's message came as Alcaraz continues his recovery from a right wrist injury sustained during his Barcelona Open title defense in April. The Spaniard has missed Roland Garros and Wimbledon but is targeting a return during the North American hard-court swing.

Why it matters for Carlos Alcaraz

A partnership with Williams would mark Alcaraz's second high-profile mixed doubles appearance at the US Open. Last year, he teamed up with Emma Raducanu in the revamped format, which moved the event to the week before the main draw and introduced a significant prize purse to attract top singles players. The 2025 edition featured several major stars, including Venus Williams and Jannik Sinner.

What comes next?

Alcaraz is expected to make his comeback during the hard-court swing, with the Cincinnati Open (beginning August 13) a possible return option before the US Open starts at the end of August. The Spaniard has been increasing his training intensity at the Carlos Alcaraz Academy, sharing images of his progress on social media. Meanwhile, Williams has been exploring opportunities on court, including doubles appearances during the grass season and a singles match at Wimbledon.

The US Open mixed doubles format, designed to attract top singles players, could see Alcaraz and Williams team up for a star-studded partnership. However, there has been no official confirmation of the pairing. Last year's event saw established doubles specialists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori win the title after defeating Casper Ruud and Iga Swiatek in the final.