The perfect solution to Jack Draper’s US Open mixed doubles problem as his second partner withdraws due to injury

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The revamped US Open mixed doubles tournament is now just weeks away as the stars of the ATP and WTA Tours prepare to join forces in New York.

Playing for a $1 million prize, the majority of the top ten on the men’s and women’s tours will compete in the 2025 US Open mixed doubles tournament.

However, finding the right partner hasn’t been easy for everyone, especially when players suffer injuries.

World number five Jack Draper has now had two partners pull out due to injury, as Qinwen Zheng and Paula Badosa both intend to skip the event.

Searching for a third partner, Draper may just have the perfect player waiting to team up with him…

Jack Draper should partner Aryna Sabalenka at the 2025 US Open

Draper isn’t the only player to have had a partner withdraw from the US Open mixed doubles tournament due to injury, as world number one Aryna Sabalenka encountered the same problem.

Her partner, Grigor Dimitrov, withdrew from the US Open recently, as he continues to recover from an injury sustained at Wimbledon.

With Draper now available, it surely makes sense for Sabalenka to team up with one of the top players on the ATP Tour.

The British star is a former semifinalist in singles at the US Open and has established himself as a true contender in men’s tennis this year.

He does, admittedly, have limited experience in the discipline of doubles, but with his powerful serve and intelligent tennis, he will no doubt adapt quickly.

Sabalenka, on the other hand, is a far more experienced doubles player, winning two Grand Slam titles with her partner, Elise Mertens.

• 2019 US Open F – Aryna Sabalenka/Elise Mertens defeated Victoria Azarenka/Ash Barty
• 2021 Australian Open F – Aryna Sabalenka/Elise Mertens defeated Barbora Krejcikova/Katerina Siniakova

If they were to team up, Draper and Sabalenka would no doubt be one of the favorites to lift the title at Flushing Meadows.

The 13 teams confirmed for the US Open mixed doubles tournament

16 teams will battle it out for the title later this month, of which 14 have been confirmed.

However, with Badosa’s withdrawal, that number has been reduced to 13, as another place opens up.

Seven teams have been announced via direct entry, while six wildcard pairings have also been confirmed.

Direct entry teams

Wildcard entry teams

With a combined ranking of six, not only would Draper and Sabalenka qualify for the event directly, but they would do so as the top-ranked team.

It would seem as though a partnership between them makes perfect sense, although one important factor could hold them back.

Will Jack Draper be fit for the US Open?

For all the talk about his partner’s injury issues, there are still question marks over Draper’s fitness.

The British number one hasn’t been seen on court since his defeat to Marin Cilic at Wimbledon, and skipped the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open Masters 1000 events.

Posting on social media, Draper issued an update on an injury he sustained after Wimbledon.

“After Wimbledon, I picked up an injury in my left arm, nothing serious. I have to make sure it recovers fully for the rest of the season,” he said.

Fans of the Briton will hope the injury truly is ‘nothing serious’, and that he will not only make an appearance in the US Open mixed doubles event, but the singles tournament as well.

The 2025 US Open mixed doubles tournament is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, August 19, before the singles event starts on Sunday, August 24.