The magnitude of the announcement Saturday — and the means one singular briefing reverberated all through the tennis ecosystem — said it all. It captured everything that the U.S. Open’s fan week, and particularly its 16-pairing blended doubles match, had become.

There was the revelation that Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion and one of the best doubles gamers of all time who just lately restarted her profession after retirement, would pair with Carlos Alcaraz, the 23-year-old phenom already with seven Grand Slam titles to his title.

Atmosphere during the 2026 Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, NY. ZUMAPRESS.com

There was the “Let’s gooooo!” with a flame emoji that Alcaraz posted to X, signaling some palpable pleasure from the Spaniard returning from an harm. The U.S. Open isn’t just about the principal draw anymore. As a revamped occasion last yr, the blended doubles match took off, and when fan week returned Sunday — with its staple occasions set to choose back up Monday — at Flushing Meadows, it remained one of the featured items for spectators.

But before the highlight of blended doubles, the early phases of fan week will unfold. Spectators can enter the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for free to attend open practices, qualifying matches — which run from Monday through Thursday — and more by registering for a cross on-line, while premium tickets are obtainable for blended doubles and other particular occasions. Cultural dance performances and other family-friendly actions will take place all through the week. Marvel will have each day comedian guide giveaways. Fans can purchase their first Honey Deuce of the season or their seventh.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka walks onto the courtroom with her canine, Ash, for a observe session during Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. AFP via Getty Images

And Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., five-time U.S. Open champion Roger Federer will share the courtroom with Andre Agassi, John McEnroe and Andy Roddick — the last American males’s tennis participant to win a Grand Slam match back in 2003 — in a ticketed exhibition at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The six-day fan week attracted 239,307 followers last yr, according to the U.S. Open — marking a 10 p.c improve from 2024. The two-day blended doubles match bought out. And this yr, that occasion will start with eight groups competing for two qualifying entries Monday before the first spherical and quarterfinals start Tuesday — with followers ready to watch in Louis Armstrong Stadium for free with their fan entry cross starting at 10 a.m. and in Arthur Ashe Stadium with a paid ticket starting at 11 a.m.

Atmosphere during the 2026 Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, NY, on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Lev Radin/Shutterstock

Then, the ticketed semifinals start the next day at Arthur Ashe Stadium at 7 p.m. before the ultimate follows.

Williams and Alcaraz comprise one of the most hyped pairings, while Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz will be companions in an all-American one. Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic will pair. Two-time defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori return, while Casper Ruud-Diana Shnaider, Taylor Townsend-Alexander Zverev, Emma Navarro-Tommy Paul, Belinda Bencic-Flavio Cobolli, Amanda Anisimova-Learner Tien, Alex Eala-Felix Auger-Aliassime, Leylah Fernandez-Frances Tiafoe, Elina Svitolina-Gael Monfils, Mirra Andreeva-Andrey Rublev and Jakub Mensik-Karolina Muchova are the other duos in the subject.

Tennis Hall of Famer Andre Agassi participates in the festivities for Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York. Andrew Schwartz/SIPA/Shutterstock

The overhauled blended doubles match has created a far totally different actuality for the USTA before the singles matches start Sunday. By shifting the match to fan week, it allowed singles stars who otherwise might not take part to be part of. There’s a $1 million prize. There are three units in each match, with a 10-point tiebreak serving as the third set if wanted after the first two units are performed to 4 factors.

The curiosity in fan week has skyrocketed. It’s no longer just the appetizer, no longer merely a placeholder. The U.S. Open will still be outlined by whoever clutches the nine-pound Tiffany & Co.-made trophy at the finish. By whether an American males’s tennis participant can snap the drought. By whether someone new in the ladies’s subject, perhaps the fan favourite Pegula, can lastly attain the pinnacle of the match.

But before then, there will be the buzz of fan week. That, by this level, has began to become a fixed.”