As the 2025 US Open approaches, American tennis star Taylor Fritz is brimming with confidence about his mixed doubles partnership with 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. The duo, set to compete in a revamped mixed doubles championship during Fan Week on August 19-20, is among the most anticipated pairings in a star-studded field vying for a staggering $1 million prize. Fritz, fresh off a third-round victory over Ugo Humbert at the Cincinnati Open on August 12, 2025, didn’t mince words about their prospects. “I really do think we’re one of the favorites,” he declared on the Tennis Channel, citing their prior success. “We have a mixed doubles title already, and I thought we played great there. I’m super excited.” Their chemistry, first showcased in a triumphant run at the Eisenhower Cup in March, has fans buzzing about their potential to claim the title at Flushing Meadows.
The US Open’s mixed doubles event has undergone a dramatic overhaul for 2025, moving to Fan Week before the singles main draw and adopting a fast-paced “Fast Four” format—sets to four games with tiebreaks at 4-4, and no-ad scoring. The 16-team draw, with eight teams earning direct entry based on combined singles rankings and eight via wildcards, features elite pairings like Jannik Sinner with Emma Navarro, Carlos Alcaraz with Emma Raducanu, and Stefanos Tsitsipas with Paula Badosa. Fritz and Rybakina, both former Indian Wells champions, secured their spot through their high rankings—Fritz at No. 4 and Rybakina at No. 7. “I think I’m a bit of a mixed doubles specialist,” Fritz boasted at Wimbledon, pointing to his undefeated record in United Cup mixed doubles and two Eisenhower Cup titles, including one with Rybakina and another with Aryna Sabalenka in 2023
Their partnership began at the Tie Break Tens event in Indian Wells, where Rybakina stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Sabalenka. The duo stormed through the competition, defeating Daniil Medvedev and Amanda Anisimova 10-4, Ben Shelton and Emma Navarro 10-6, and Madison Keys and Tommy Paul 10-4 in the final. “It was super exciting to play with Elena. She played great,” Fritz said, crediting their strategy of leveraging their powerful serves. Rybakina echoed his enthusiasm, noting, “Taylor was giving me some advice on the returns since the guys’ serving was going to be good. It’s not easy to return, but I think we did great.” After their victory, Fritz proposed teaming up for the US Open. “I just asked Elena if she wants to play mixed at the US Open, so let’s see. Hopefully she says yes,” he recalled. Rybakina’s affirmative response has set the stage for a high-stakes showdown.[](https://www.tennis365.com/us-open/taylor-fritz-hopeful-elena-rybakina-say-yes-asking-important-question)
Fritz’s confidence is bolstered by his strong 2025 season, with titles at Stuttgart and Eastbourne, a Wimbledon semifinal, and a Canadian Open semifinal, where he fell to Ben Shelton. His mixed doubles pedigree includes a 2024 Paris Olympics quarterfinal with Coco Gauff, showcasing his knack for the format. “I always enjoy playing mixed doubles, like events where you get to play, you know, Olympics, United Cup,” he said, emphasizing the thrill of team play. Rybakina, meanwhile, brings her own credentials, having reached the 2021 Roland Garros doubles quarterfinals and cracked the WTA doubles top 50. “He has such a good game that I think it would be nice to play at the US Open,” she said, noting the event’s timing as ideal preparation for singles.
The new format, while controversial—critics like Rennae Stubbs called it a “complete sideshow”—has Fritz’s full support. “Mixed doubles, as it was, isn’t adding that much to the Slams,” he argued, praising the shift to spotlight top singles players. The $1 million prize, a 400% increase from 2024’s $200,000, adds extra motivation. “I think we’re all, can’t speak for everyone but, I know Elena and myself are definitely there to win,” Fritz asserted. With formidable opponents like Iga Świątek and Casper Ruud or Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilović in the draw, the competition will be fierce, but Fritz and Rybakina’s proven chemistry and aggressive playstyle make them a force to watch. As the US Open kicks off, their partnership promises to electrify Flushing Meadows, potentially etching their names into tennis history.
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