Revamped Mixed Doubles Tournament at the U.S. Open
The upcoming U.S. Open is set to feature a revamped mixed doubles tournament with some of tennis’s biggest names vying for the title. Scheduled for August 19-20, prior to the singles matches that commence on August 24, the preliminary list showcases exciting pairings including Carlos Alcaraz teaming up with Emma Raducanu, and Frances Tiafoe joining forces with Madison Keys. Additionally, fans can anticipate the combination of Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, as well as Naomi Osaka partnering with Nick Kyrgios, among others.
Participation of Top-Ranked Players
Top-ranked players have shown significant interest in participating, with ten of the leading eleven women from the WTA rankings signing up, excluding only Coco Gauff, who recently secured her second Grand Slam title at the French Open. The men’s side is similarly impressive, featuring ATP No. 1 Jannik Sinner and the renowned Novak Djokovic, who boasts an impressive 24 major championships. The tournament promises a lucrative $1 million prize pool, up by $800,000 from the previous year, further enhancing its appeal.
Tournament Format Changes and Reactions
In a comment highlighting the remarkable roster, Stacey Allaster, the outgoing U.S. Open tournament director, expressed her enthusiasm for the event’s potential to draw passionate crowds. Other notable entries include Sinner paired with Emma Navarro, Djokovic alongside Olga Danilovic, and top performers like Aryna Sabalenka and Grigor Dimitrov. Many past grand slam champions are also expected to participate, such as Alcaraz, Osaka, and Medvedev, highlighting the competitive nature of this year’s mixed doubles.
However, the introduction of higher-profile mixed pairs has drawn mixed reactions. Some critics argue that this shift distances the tournament from its traditional roots as many seasoned doubles specialists feel sidelined. The new format also reduces the participating teams from 32 to 16, implementing first-to-four games for sets, no-ad scoring, and match tiebreakers instead of a full third set.
Entry Deadline and Future Prospects
As players finalize their partnerships, the deadline for entries is July 28, but those listed may still change, as the top eight pairs based on their combined singles ranking will gain automatic entry, while the remaining spots will be filled through wild cards chosen by a USTA committee. <strong.Lew Sherr, the USTA’s outgoing chief executive who will transition to a role with the New York Mets, conveyed hope that this innovation would redefine the profile of mixed doubles in tennis—allowing men and women to compete together on equal footing.
Conclusion
The event aims to create a vibrant spectacle for fans, fostering new collaborations and showcasing the dynamic nature of tennis. With excitement building, the U.S. Open’s mixed doubles could mark a significant evolution in the tournament’s format and presentation.
Howard Fendrich has been covering tennis for AP since 2002. To read more of his insights, visit More AP tennis.
