US Open Senior Director of Player Relations Eric Butorac dropped a bombshell, revealing that Jannik Sinner inquired whether Serena Williams could be a potential mixed doubles partner.

Grand Slam singles champions such as Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys will be playing for a little extra money — OK, a lot of extra money, by any standard: $1 million to the winning duo — and trying to get their hands on a trophy in the U.S. Open’s overhauled mixed doubles tournament.

When it came to finding a partner for the newly formatted mixed doubles event at this year’s U.S. Open, it seemed like a no-brainer for Madison Keys.