Serena Williams sends message to Carlos Alcaraz sparking rumors ahead of the US Open

The biggest question around Carlos Alcaraz had been whether his injured wrist would allow him to return in time for the US Open . Now that he has confirmed his comeback, attention has quickly shifted to whether Serena Williams could be waiting to join him.

Alcaraz announced his return with a social media video and the message, “We’re back, Here we Go.”

Then Williams stepped in. “Ohhhhh ok. I like seeing this,” the 23-time Grand Slam champion commented.

It was only six words, but given the speculation already surrounding the pair, the response was enough to send tennis fans back into detective mode.

Nothing has been officially announced. Still, Williams has previously interacted with Alcaraz ’s recovery posts, and another message linked to the rumors — “They are not ready” — only strengthened the sense that something could be developing behind the scenes.

Why an Alcaraz-Williams team feels possible

The timing works in a way it did not a few weeks ago. Alcaraz has been sidelined since April because of a wrist injury and withdrew from both the French Open and Wimbledon rather than risk worsening the problem.

His absence from Cincinnati created another layer of uncertainty over whether he would even be ready for New York. That changed with his latest announcement.

The US Open mixed doubles tournament is scheduled for August 24-26 and still had wildcard places available in the supplied information.

The event has been deliberately built around star power, with Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka among the high-profile names already linked in teams.

A pairing involving Williams and Alcaraz would fit that philosophy almost perfectly. It would also create one of the biggest attractions of the tournament before the singles draw even begins.

A useful test before singles

The pairing wouldn't be valuable only as a spectacle. Alcaraz hasn't competed in more than four months, meaning the challenge in New York goes well beyond simply being healthy enough to swing a racket again.

The shortened mixed doubles format could give him competitive repetitions without immediately exposing him to the demands of a five-set singles match.

Before the injury, Alcaraz had been in excellent form, winning 22 of 25 matches and claiming titles at the Australian Open and in Doha.

He also enters the US Open with significant ranking pressure. Alcaraz remains No.2 and has 2,000 points to defend, while Jannik Sinner holds a sizeable advantage at the top.

Williams , meanwhile, has already returned to competition this summer and has played doubles alongside Venus Williams , which gives the rumor another layer of plausibility.

Until the remaining mixed doubles teams are officially announced, though, that is all it remains: a rumor. But after Alcaraz confirmed his return and Williams immediately responded, the possibility no longer feels quite so far-fetched.