The U.S. Open’s mixed doubles tournament has undergone a dramatic makeover this year, drawing Grand Slam singles champions like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Madison Keys, and Novak Djokovic into the mix — all chasing an unprecedented $1 million top prize.
But not everyone is celebrating. Doubles specialists, including last year’s champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, are voicing sharp criticism, saying the new format sidelines true doubles players. “It would be like if, at the Olympics, basketball players competed in the high jump,” Errani said, calling the changes “sad” and “dishonest.”
The revamped event features just 16 teams instead of 32, with half the field selected by singles rankings and the rest handpicked by the U.S. Tennis Association. Matches are shorter — sets to four games, no-Ad scoring, and match tiebreaks — and take place before the main singles draws begin.
Star-studded duos include Alcaraz paired with Emma Raducanu, Swiatek with Casper Ruud, Sinner with Katerina Siniakova, Keys with Frances Tiafoe, Venus Williams with Reilly Opelka, and Osaka with Gael Monfils. Djokovic will play alongside Olga Danilovic, while Daniil Medvedev teams up with Mirra Andreeva.
For players like Taylor Fritz, who is partnering Elena Rybakina, the appeal is clear. “Seeing the prize money, everyone was like, ‘We’re going, no matter what,’” Fritz said. Tiafoe echoed: “We are 100% there to try to win it.”
Yet Canadian champion Gaby Dabrowski, who was denied a spot with Felix Auger-Aliassime, argues the event undermines the integrity of doubles. “Do I think it’s a true mixed doubles championship? No,” she said.
Tournament director Stacey Allaster insists otherwise. “Let’s be absolutely crystal clear: This is a Grand Slam championship. It is not an exhibition,” she said. “When fans see top players competing, it’s going to inspire more people to play and grow the sport.”