Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz have joined forces in a blockbuster partnership for the mixed doubles event at the 2026 US Open. As anticipation builds for the duo to take the court at the New York Major, the reveal of their first-round opponents following the qualifiers has stunned the tennis community.
Tennis Fans React to Serena Williams and Erin Routliffe’s Bizarre US Open Rematch
Williams and Alcaraz will make their much-awaited doubles debut together when they take on Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool in the first round of the US Open mixed doubles on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The matchup will also mark the third time Williams has faced Routliffe in doubles this season, despite this being only her fourth doubles match since her return to professional tennis in June.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion made her highly anticipated comeback at the Queen’s Club Championships, where she and Victoria Mboko claimed a 7-6(2), 6-2 win over Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez in their opening match.
However, Williams was unable to maintain her winning momentum against Routliffe. Just days later, she and Karolína Muchová suffered a 4-6, 4-6 loss to Routliffe and Giuliana Olmos at the Berlin Tennis Open.
After her doubles campaign with sister Venus Williams ended in a narrow first-round loss at the Cincinnati Open, the 23-time Grand Slam champion is set to stand across the net from Routliffe once more at the US Open, alongside Alcaraz.
The unlikely pattern sparked a buzz in the tennis community, with fans joking that Routliffe must be getting tired of facing the former world No. 1 so often.
“If I was Routliffe I’d be sick and tired of Serena 😭😭😭 this is the 3rd time she’s playing her this year!” one fan commented.
“Ik Routliffe is sick of this 😂😂😂,” another fan quipped.
Fans continued to express disbelief over how frequently the two have crossed paths this season.
“Idk if I’m counting right but has Serena played Routliffe in 3/4 doubles matches she’s played this year?” one fan questioned.
“Not Routliffe playing Serena again 😭,” a fan wrote.
“Rena’s army seeing Routliffe on the other side of the net for the third time in two months,” said another.
Rena’s army seeing Routliffe on the other side of the net for the third time in two months pic.twitter.com/GvPMFKCFoZ
— Serena’s snatched wig (@Danidilo2) August 24, 2026
Interestingly, Routliffe herself was just as stunned upon learning that she would face Williams again at the Berlin Tennis Open, only days after their doubles clash at the Queen’s Club Championships.
“To get another chance is exciting; we’re both with different partners. I’m sure she’ll remember me,” the 31-year-old said, laughing, according to reporter Mike McIntyre. “So she’ll have a little more scouting going into it this time. But to be honest, yeah, I couldn’t believe it!”
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If Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz emerge victorious against Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool, they will come up against Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli or Taylor Townsend and Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals at the US Open.
