On Tuesday, August 25, Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz got down to business for the mixed doubles event at the US Open. The duo took down doubles specialists Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool for their opening round encounter, and fans were left stunned as Williams outshined Alcaraz in the match.
Rumours of a doubles partnership between Williams and Alcaraz first started floating around the tennis world earlier this year in June. The duo confirmed the news a few days ago and on Tuesday, they were in action at the Arthur Ashe Stadium for their first round match. As the two Grand Slam champions took on Routliffe and Glasspool, they clinched a 5-3, 4-1 win in the encounter, but fans felt like Williams was ‘carrying’ Alcaraz through the match.
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Taking to X after the duo’s triumph, one fan wrote,
“Last year Carlos Alcaraz carried Emma Raducanu, this year Serena Williams is carrying Carlos.”
Another fan shared a similar opinion, adding,
“Williams absolutely carried Alcaraz on her back today, my goat!!”
Here is how others reacted to Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz‘s opening round encounter at the US Open:
“Williams is carrying Alcaraz,” one fan commented.
“45 years old, 5 years post retirement, Williams, is serving/returning better than prime Carlos Alcaraz and carrying him to a win, wow she’s special,” another added.
“Fun times, as Williams carries a returning Alcaraz to win in the first round of 2026 #USOpen mixed doubles,” one X user wrote.
“A Alcaraz and Williams pairing is way cooler and hotter than I could have ever imagined,” yet another fan chimed in.
Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz ousted in mixed doubles round two

Shortly after their win over Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool, Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz returned to the Arthur Ashe Stadium for their second round match. This time, the duo took on French Open runner-up Flavio Cobolli and WTA World No.12 Belinda Bencic.
Cobolli and Bencic arrived into the match as the fourth seeds, having ousted Alexander Zverev and Taylor Townsend in their first round encounter.
As the four tennis stars got down to business, Cobolli and Bencic continued their winning streak, clinching a 5-4(4), 4-1 win over Williams and Alcaraz.
Up next, Serena Williams will return to action in New York for the women’s doubles event alongside sister Venus Williams, while Carlos Alcaraz will be seen competing for his men’s singles campaign.
Edited by Riddhi Acharya
