The world of professional tennis is preparing to fulfill a long-held dream of fans. Ukraine's top-ranked player Elina Svitolina and her husband, French tennis player Gael Monfils, have received an official chance to compete together at the most prestigious tournament of the season. The organizers of the US Open have granted the star duo a wild card into the main draw of the mixed doubles event.
The Couple's First Official Appearance
For Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, this tournament will be a landmark event. Although the couple has already played together in exhibition matches, the US Open 2026 will mark their first joint start at an official professional level. This event holds special significance for the French tennis player, as this major will be the last Grand Slam tournament in his professional career.
For the Ukrainian tennis player, participation in the mixed doubles also has historical context: the last time she competed in the mixed doubles draw at the US Open was in 2018. Her return to the court in New York after eight years, paired with her husband, will be a highlight of the tournament.
Unique Format and Prize Money
The organizers of the US Open 2026 have decided to hold the mixed doubles event in a special shortened format to make the matches more dynamic and spectacular. Until the final, tennis players will play to two won sets, each lasting up to four games. At a score of 4-4, a tie-break is provided, and instead of the traditional deciding third set, a match tie-break to 10 points will be played.
The tournament final will follow the classic format: sets will continue until six games are won. The winners of the tournament will receive a substantial prize fund of one million dollars, making this discipline one of the most financially attractive in the current season.
Participant Lineup and Ukrainian Hopes
The main draw of the mixed doubles will consist of 16 pairs. As of now, 11 duos are already known to be guaranteed to play in the main draw. In addition to the Svitolina-Monfils pair, Venus Williams and Alexander Bublik will participate in the tournament, along with other leading tennis players in the world.
Ukraine may have another representative in the mixed doubles. Marta Kostyuk is considering the possibility of pairing with Italian Lorenzo Musetti, who previously publicly stated his desire to play with the Ukrainian. However, there is no official confirmation of this duo's participation yet, and the question remains open until the draw is finalized.
Match Schedule
The mixed doubles matches of the US Open 2026 are scheduled for the period from August 24 to 26. Given the shortened format of play, spectators will be able to see several matches within a single day. The tournament will take place in New York at the West Side complex courts, where thousands of tennis fans from around the world traditionally gather.
The participation of Svitolina and Monfils in the mixed doubles has already caused a major resonance in the sports community. Their pair is considered one of the most anticipated in the tournament draw, and fans hope to see not only a high level of play but also genuine team chemistry based on the athletes' personal relationship.
