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Carlos Alcaraz is happy to take advice from one of tennis' greatest champions.
The 23-year-old Spanish star spoke about his experience playing mixed doubles alongside Serena Williams at the 2026 US Open on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The unlikely pairing attracted plenty of attention as Williams returned to the tournament for the first time in four years.
After Alcaraz and Williams defeated Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool 5-3, 4-1 to reach the quarterfinals, the reigning US Open champion was asked about playing alongside the 23-time Grand Slam winner.
"I'm playing next to the one and only Serena Williams, so what else could you do?" Alcaraz said. "Just enjoy. Trying to do the things she told me to do."
When asked whether he actually listened to Williams, who is 21 years older than him, Alcaraz quickly confirmed that he did.
"Obviously," he said. "100%."
Williams agreed, responding with a laugh, "Yes, he does."
The match marked an important return for both players. Williams was back on the US Open court after a four-year absence, while Alcaraz was competing again after spending nearly five months away from the sport because of a wrist injury suffered at the Barcelona Open.
Despite his experience at the highest level of tennis, Alcaraz admitted that he felt nervous stepping onto the court again.
"I double-faulted the first point, so yeah, I was really, really nervous," he said. "I was out four months and a half, almost five months. I almost forget how it feels stepping onto the court once again."
Having Williams beside him helped ease those nerves. Alcaraz said she made the experience simple by encouraging him to enjoy himself and play with confidence.
"Playing with Serena, she made it really easy for me just to try to enjoy and go for it every time," he said.
For Williams, the opportunity was equally meaningful. She said she never expected to return to the US Open court in this way and described the experience as a special moment.
"I never expected to be back on this court, so it's just a really cool moment," Williams said.
Williams also praised the opportunity to partner with Alcaraz, calling the mixed doubles appearance a bonus and saying the pair were simply there to have fun.
Their run eventually came to an end in the quarterfinals, where they lost to Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli 5-4 (4), 4-1.
Despite the defeat, Williams has another chance to compete at the tournament. She and her older sister Venus Williams received a wild-card entry into the women's doubles draw on Wednesday, Aug. 26.
