As the tennis world gears up for the 2025 US Open, Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, is generating buzz with her excitement for the tournament’s inaugural mixed doubles exhibition. The 26-year-old Kazakhstani star, known for her booming serve and aggressive baseline game, has named two ATP heavyweights—Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz—as the players she’s most eager to face in the star-studded event. Scheduled during Fan Week on August 19-20 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, this $1 million showcase promises high-octane action, and Rybakina’s comments have only heightened anticipation for the unique ATP-WTA clashes.
Rybakina, currently ranked World No. 11, will partner with American Taylor Fritz in the mixed doubles championship, a pairing that blends her powerful groundstrokes with Fritz’s dynamic all-court game. The duo’s chemistry was evident earlier this year when they clinched the Eisenhower Cup at Indian Wells, defeating top teams like Ben Shelton and Emma Navarro to claim a $200,000 prize. “He has such a good game that I think it would be nice to play at the US Open,” Rybakina said of Fritz, highlighting the strategic fit of their partnership. She also noted the event’s timing, just before the singles draw, makes it an ideal tune-up. “It’s before singles starts, so I feel like it’s also good preparation for the singles,” she added, underscoring her focus on peaking for the final Grand Slam of the year.
The mixed doubles field is stacked, with 25 teams entered and the top eight determined by combined singles rankings securing direct entry. Rybakina’s eyes are fixed on two of the sport’s brightest stars: World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz. “Everyone is very strong. I saw Aryna is playing with Grigor. Alcaraz is playing. Sinner is playing,” Rybakina said in a recent press conference. “In terms of who I want to play, it depends, I think Alcaraz, Sinner, definitely, to see how they hit and just feel how the ball is coming.” Her curiosity about facing the men’s top players reflects her competitive drive to test her game against the best, particularly Sinner’s relentless consistency and Alcaraz’s explosive flair.
Sinner, the 2024 Australian Open and US Open champion, and Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam winner, are formidable opponents. Sinner’s pinpoint groundstrokes and Alcaraz’s electric athleticism make them daunting prospects in doubles, where quick reflexes and net play are critical. Rybakina’s desire to face them stems from a desire to experience their shot-making up close. Her own game, built around a 127 mph serve and flat, penetrating groundstrokes, could pose a unique challenge. In 2024, she led the WTA with 358 aces despite playing fewer matches than rivals like Aryna Sabalenka, averaging 6.7 aces per match. This firepower, combined with Fritz’s versatility, positions their team as a serious contender.
The mixed doubles event marks a fresh chapter for Rybakina, whose 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. After a strong start with a title in Strasbourg—her first in over a year—she reached the fourth round at the French Open and quarterfinals in Doha, London, and Berlin. However, injuries and coaching turmoil have tested her resilience. Following a split with longtime coach Stefano Vukov before the 2024 US Open, she briefly worked with Goran Ivanišević, only to rehire Vukov in January 2025. His subsequent 12-month WTA suspension for a code of conduct violation left Rybakina without a coach, yet she’s shown grit, defeating Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-1 at Wimbledon 2025 and Liudmila Samsonova in Strasbourg.
Rybakina’s anticipation for the US Open extends beyond mixed doubles. Her 2023 Australian Open final run, where she defeated Iga Swiatek and Victoria Azarenka before falling to Sabalenka, showcased her Grand Slam pedigree. Despite a third-round exit at Wimbledon 2025 to Clara Tauson, her 72.8% first-serve points won and 235 aces this season highlight her dominance when healthy. “I just need to stay healthy, keep working and the results will come,” she said after her Strasbourg triumph, a mindset she carries into Flushing Meadows.
The mixed doubles event, with its blend of ATP and WTA stars, is a chance for Rybakina to showcase her versatility and reignite her momentum. Facing Sinner and Alcaraz would not only test her skills but also draw global attention to her comeback. As she prepares to battle alongside Fritz, Rybakina’s focus is clear: embrace the challenge, enjoy the moment, and let her powerful game do the talking. With the tennis world watching, this US Open could be a defining moment for the Kazakhstani star to reclaim her place among the elite.
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