Coco Gauff’s Decision on Mixed Doubles at the 2025 US Open
Coco Gauff, who has already claimed multiple Grand Slam victories, including two singles titles and a doubles championship, made a notable decision regarding her participation in mixed doubles at the upcoming 2025 US Open. Although she is a formidable competitor in both singles and doubles formats—having secured the 2023 US Open and the 2025 French Open titles as well as winning the 2024 French Open doubles alongside Katerina Siniakova—she will be absent from the mixed doubles draw this year.
Mixed Doubles Format Changes
Despite her prowess, Gauff has yet to capture a mixed doubles Grand Slam title, with her best achievement being a semi-final run at Wimbledon in 2022. The mixed doubles event at the US Open this year introduces a new format, scheduled to take place during the qualifying week. This change has led to a predominantly singles player lineup, featuring renowned athletes such as Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Jannik Sinner.
Gauff’s Reasons for Withdrawing
Gauff’s absence from the entry list may come as a surprise, especially since she was considered a strong contender. She’s publicly addressed her choice not to compete during the Cincinnati Open, citing her packed schedule filled with sponsor commitments throughout the US Open week.
“The free week of the US Open is already full for me with sponsor activities, and the additional burden of mixed doubles just didn’t fit into my plans,”
Gauff explained. She mentioned her competitive nature and acknowledged that losing in mixed doubles would have been disheartening for her, further influencing her decision.
Support for the New Format
Additionally, the new mixed doubles format has sparked debate among players, particularly those who primarily compete in doubles. These athletes feel that the changes may detract from the essence of their discipline. However, Gauff expressed her support for the fresh approach, appreciating the potential excitement it could bring, even though her own scheduling conflicts made it impossible for her to engage this year.
“I find it cool and think it will create an exhilarating atmosphere during those two days,”
she remarked, emphasizing her long-term planning for sponsorship engagements that left little room for unexpected changes in her tournament commitments.
