Djokovic-Sabalenka Lose US Open Mixed Doubles Debut

Djokovic and Sabalenka lose 

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka suffer in revamped US Open mixed doubles exit in first round.

Siniakova ace seals US Open Mixed doubles win over...

Top seeds Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka were knocked out of the US Open mixed doubles on Tuesday, losing 1-4, 4-2, 10-2 to Henry Patten and Katerina Siniakova in round one.

The 24-time Grand Slam singles champion Djokovic and 4-time major winner Sabalenka won the first set. But Patten and doubles expert Siniakova responded to take the second and then dominated the match tiebreak to reach the quarter-finals.

Siniakova wrapped up the upset in style with an ace out wide on match point to end the run of the high-profile duo.  

“It wasn't looking very good for a while, in this format we play one bad game and all of a ⁠sudden the first set's gone,” Patten said.

“We knew the same could happen in the second, and we played an amazing tiebreak. Kat acing Novak on match ‌point was great.”

The mixed doubles championship is again being held in the week before the singles main draw. Organisers changed the format last year to lure more top singles players by cutting the draw size and giving it its own calendar slot.

The new format was a commercial hit in its first year, selling out crowds and pulling in many of tennis’ biggest singles names. It did draw criticism from some doubles specialists who felt it sidelined established teams.

Statement win 🫡 pic.twitter.com/hypPneXpSB

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 25, 2026

 

Italians Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori retained the title last year, beating Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in the final.