The Mixed Doubles Event at the 2025 US Open
The mixed doubles event at the 2025 US Open was poised to capture significant media attention, particularly if Serena Williams had been involved in the competition. Jannik Sinner had expressed interest in partnering with the legendary tennis player, but circumstances led to different pairing arrangements.
Initial Pairings and Withdrawals
Initially, Sinner was slated to team up with fellow American Emma Navarro for matches set to take place on August 19 and 20. This year’s event is notably scheduled to occur separately from the singles and other doubles rounds, a departure from the traditional format.
Navarro later decided to step back from the mixed doubles to focus on her preparation for the US Open, taking a wild card at the Monterrey Open instead. This decision followed struggles in her performance at the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open leading up to the US Open. With Navarro’s withdrawal, Sinner quickly found himself in need of a new partner and was paired with Katerina Siniakova. However, shortly thereafter, Siniakova also withdrew due to illness, which had affected Sinner’s previous match against Carlos Alcaraz in Cincinnati.
Speculation Around Serena Williams
The mixed doubles competition would have garnered a tremendous buzz, particularly with Williams’ legendary status in the sport.
Eric Butorac, who oversees player relations for the US Open, shared on the podcast “Nothing Major” that Sinner did inquire about the possibility of teaming up with Williams.
However, he clarified that returning to professional play for someone of Serena’s stature involves navigating a complex six-month doping protocol. Butorac made it clear that while Sinner could resume play more easily, Williams faced a more stringent process due to her status as an elite player who had been absent from the tour since her retirement at the end of the 2022 US Open.
Legalities and Future Prospects
Speculation regarding a potential comeback for Serena was intensified by the recent return of her sister, Venus Williams, to the WTA Tour at the age of 45. However, even with a desire to participate, the legalities surrounding doping regulations complicate any plans for a return. Furthermore, there’s ambiguity on whether Serena would even entertain the thought of partnering with Sinner, given her previous comments that suggested hesitation about playing with him, especially in light of the doping controversy surrounding his career.
Clarifications on Partnerships
Butorac also addressed an issue regarding Sinner’s comments about his partnership with Navarro. After their initial pairing was announced, Sinner seemed surprised in interviews, claiming they had never communicated before being assigned as a team.
Butorac countered this narrative by stating that Sinner had been presented with a list of potential partners to choose from and selected Navarro himself, contradicting Sinner’s claims that the USTA arranged the partnership without his input.
To him, it was evident that Sinner and Navarro did not share a strong desire to compete together, and Navarro’s current focus on the Monterrey Open may indicate her relief in stepping away from the mixed doubles arena this year.
