The 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship, set to unfold on August 19 and 20 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, has tennis fans buzzing with anticipation—and a touch of contention. This revamped two-day event, now a highlight of the US Open’s Fan Week, promises a fast-paced, star-studded showdown with a $1 million prize for the winning team. Featuring a streamlined format and a roster packed with the sport’s biggest names, the tournament aims to elevate mixed doubles to new heights, but not without ruffling feathers among traditionalists and doubles specialists.
Unlike its traditional format, which typically ran during the third week of the Grand Slam, this year’s championship has been condensed into a high-octane, two-day spectacle on the prestigious Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadiums. The 16-team draw, comprising eight direct entries based on combined singles rankings and eight wild-card selections, boasts an unprecedented lineup of tennis titans. Among the confirmed pairings are Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilovic, Naomi Osaka and Gael Monfils, Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka, and top seeds Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper. Other notable duos include Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, and defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who secured a wild-card entry. “The Mixed Doubles Championship is going to be one of the main attractions of the US Open this year,” said Stacey Allaster, US Open Tournament Director. “It’s going to be fast-paced. It’s going to be competitive. It’s going to be fun.”
The new format introduces a radical departure from Grand Slam norms. Matches are best-of-three sets, with sets played to four games, no-advantage scoring, and a tiebreak at 4-4. If a third set is needed, a 10-point match tiebreak replaces it, except in the final, where sets extend to six games with the same tiebreak rules. This condensed structure, designed to accommodate top singles players’ schedules before the main draw begins on August 24, has drawn praise for its innovation but sharp criticism for sidelining doubles specialists. “There’s no problem putting on such an event, but above all, don’t call it a Grand Slam,” said Kristina Mladenovic, a two-time mixed doubles champion, who labeled it a “super exhibition.” Similarly, former doubles world No. 1 Paul McNamee called the shortened sets a reduction to an “exhibition,” arguing it undermines the event’s prestige.
The USTA’s push for star power is evident in the selection process, which prioritizes singles rankings over doubles expertise. This shift has sparked frustration among players like Katerina Siniakova, a 10-time major doubles champion, who was initially excluded alongside Marcelo Arevalo despite their top doubles rankings. “When two world No. 1s in doubles don’t get into the tournament, there’s probably nothing more to say about it,” Siniakova remarked. She later joined the draw with Jannik Sinner after Emma Navarro’s withdrawal. The defending champions, Errani and Vavassori, also voiced dismay, stating, “Making decisions just following the logic of profit is profoundly wrong in some situations.” Their inclusion via wild card underscores the tension between tradition and the USTA’s commercial ambitions.
Supporters of the revamp, including players like Jessica Pegula, see it as a bold move to grow the sport. “As a player who enjoys competing in doubles, I’m excited for the opportunity to play the 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship during the first week,” Pegula said, though she criticized the lack of player consultation. The $1 million prize—up from $200,000 last year—has also turned heads, with Frances Tiafoe jokingly noting, “The prize money is decent, I heard.” The USTA defends the changes, emphasizing the potential to draw larger crowds during Fan Week, which offers free admission, and boost revenue through primetime ESPN broadcasts. “We know that there’s a huge opportunity to create more interest globally in doubles,” said Lew Sherr, USTA CEO, highlighting the potential ripple effect on men’s and women’s doubles events.
Despite the controversy, the event’s allure is undeniable. Pairings like Alcaraz and Raducanu, both former US Open singles champions, have generated significant media buzz, while the presence of legends like Djokovic and Williams adds gravitas. The format’s brevity ensures thrilling, unpredictable matches, appealing to casual fans and newcomers alike. Broadcasts on ESPN2, Eurosport, Sky Sports, and Sony Sports Network (with streaming on JioHotstar in India starting at 8:30 PM IST) aim to maximize global reach. As the tennis world tunes in, the 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship stands at a crossroads—poised to redefine the sport’s appeal or risk alienating its purists in pursuit of spectacle.
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