“Reimagined” US Open Mixed Doubles
For the first time in its history, the US Open mixed doubles event has been completely overhauled. Instead of running alongside the main singles and doubles draws, it’s now just a two-day affair on August 19 and 20 in the first week of the last Grand Slam of the season 2025.
The field has been trimmed from 32 to 16 teams. Eight pairs have been given direct entries based on the players’ combined rankings while eight have been awarded wild card entries.
The teams will compete for a massive USD one million prize money.
WHAT’S THE CHANGE?
The organisers have introduced a fast format: best of three sets to four games without ad-scoring and tie-breakers at 4-4. If the team split the sets, a 10-point match tie-breaker will be played instead of a full third set.
The title clash will have six-game sets but retains no-ad scoring with a 10-point tiebreaker at 6-6.
All matches will be played in prime venues —Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadium.
PRAISE AND SHARP CRITICISM
Jessica Pegula (world No. 4 and WTA Player Council member) said the changes would be “fun” and that “fans will really enjoy it.” Yet, she also criticized the USTA’s poor communication with players. “You just did it… Did you talk to the players?” she lamented.
Andy Roddick, while acknowledging some sympathy for critics, phrased it as the “right move,”—arguing the event needed a spotlight and that broader visibility outweighs tradition
2024 champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori labeled the change a “profound injustice”, calling it a “pseudo-exhibition” that disrespects an entire category of players.
Jan Zieliński, a recent Grand Slam mixed doubles winner, complained of zero consultation: “No communication… no respect to the history and traditions”
Kristina Mladenovic called the changes “terribly shocking,” while Ellen Perez scolded it as a message that “doubles players are trash”.
Australia’s Paul McNamee attacked the format as devaluing the Grand Slam: “This will not produce a bona fide mixed doubles winner… devalued from a Grand Slam to an expo”.
The 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles is a calculated gamble—trading tradition for visibility, star power, and entertainment value and it remains to be seen if it attracts new audiences or alienates doubles specialists.
Comments are closed.