Aryna Sabalenka: Grigor Dimitrov “begged” me to play US Open mixed doubles

Aryna Sabalenka opened up about her forthcoming US Open mixed doubles partnership with Grigor Dimitrov, the world No. 1 teasing Dimitrov about his evidently relentless campaign to pair up for the revamped tournament in August.

“He was texting me, non-stop, begging me to play,” Sabalenka exclaimed with a laugh after advancing at the Berlin Tennis Open. “I was like, ‘Man, I don’t want to play.’ But he was begging and I was like, ‘Ok, you got it.’”

Sabalenka and Dimitrov were among a slew of all-star pairings announced by the United States Tennis Association on Tuesday, 16 of whom will compete over two days. for a $1 million dollar prize pot during the event’s annual Fan Week. Other partnerships include Carlos Alcaraz-Emma Raducanu, Nick Kyrgios-Naomi Osaka, and Casper Ruud-Iga Swiatek, along with defending champions Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani.

“I didn’t really know about the mixed doubles situation at the US Open. I was like, ‘What are you talking about? Why would we play mixed doubles?’” said Sabalenka, who completed a 6-2, 7-6 (6) victory over Rebecca Masarova after play was suspended Wednesday due to damp conditions.

“He was explaining how it was before the US Open. But no one approached me, so I didn’t know if I was invited. We decided probably straight after the Australian Open.”

Sabalenka is a former No. 1 in doubles, having won two women’s doubles Grand Slam tournaments with partner Elise Mertens. She last competed in major doubles competition at the 2021 Australian Open, when she and Mertens won the title over Czechs Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova.

Dimitrov has more limited doubles experience, making one final in men’s doubles back in 2011.

In total, 16 teams have entered as of 5:00pm EST on June 16. The entry window will close on July 28 at 12:00 ET, at which time the top eight teams with the best combined singles ranking at the time will officially be in the field/draw via direct acceptance. The remaining eight teams will be determined via wild card and announced on a date to follow.