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US Open mixed doubles changes spark debate
New format and $1 million prize draw stars and doubles players into a contentious debate about the future of the event.
Top singles stars join a redesigned mixed doubles event with a $1 million prize, drawing mixed reactions from doubles players and fans.
US Open mixed doubles faces player backlash over format and prize money
At the US Open this year, the mixed doubles event has been overhauled with a big prize and a new format. The winning duo will receive $1 million. The matches use brisk rules: sets to four games, no-ad scoring, and a match tiebreak instead of a full third set. The field is trimmed to 16 teams, and half of the entries come from singles rankings while the rest are wild cards chosen by the USTA. The rounds take place before the main singles event to build anticipation.
Top singles champions such as Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys join the field alongside established doubles players. The potential marquee pairing between Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu has fans buzzing, while other teams mix multiple major titles. Some players and former champions protest the changes, arguing that doubles is being sidelined. Sara Errani called the move sad and nonsense and said it excludes doubles players from their sport. Tournament director Stacey Allaster defended the decision as essential for a Grand Slam championship that can draw fans and grow the sport.
Key Takeaways
"You’re excluding them from their sport. It’s dishonest."
Errani criticizing the exclusion of doubles specialists from the field
"This is a Grand Slam championship. It is not an exhibition."
Allaster defending the event as a legitimate championship
"Do I think it’s a true mixed doubles championship? No."
Dabrowski expressing doubt about the event’s status as a real doubles competition
"The prize money is great we are here to win it."
Fritz commenting on the incentive created by the prize
These changes highlight a broader dilemma in professional tennis: how to balance popularity and revenue with tradition and fair play. Featuring big names can lift the profile of doubles but risks turning it into a spectacle rather than a serious competition. The concern from doubles specialists is about a lack of access and financial rewards that reflect their contribution to the sport.
Looking forward, the question is whether the experiment will yield lasting gains for the doubles game or simply produce a one season boost. If the event proves sustainable and the doubles field grows in depth, it could be a model; if not, it could erode trust in the sport’s governance. The sport will watch closely to see if the long term benefits outweigh the immediate buzz.
Highlights
- Doubles deserve a field that respects its game not a showroom for star power
- When the sport makes stars chase money the doubles table looks like a sideshow
- Fans want a true Grand Slam not a two day exhibition
- The prize money is great we are here to win it
Doubles backlash over format and prize money
The mixed doubles revisions raise concerns about fairness to doubles specialists, potential questions of sport integrity, and the long term health of the doubles discipline. While the prize and exposure may attract fans, critics warn it could undermine the sport if traditional doubles paths are sidelined.
The coming weeks will reveal if this bold shift strengthens the sport or strains its core.
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