Home SPORTS US Open's New Mixed Doubles Format Sparks Mixed Reaction

US Open's New Mixed Doubles Format Sparks Mixed Reaction

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Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka


The US Open's revamped mixed doubles tournament has drawn both praise and criticism from fans and players. Read about the pros and cons.



The US Open's revamped mixed doubles tournament is set to kick off on Tuesday, drawing in fans with its star-studded lineup featuring top singles players. This year's competition has been allocated its own schedule, allowing it to take center stage and attract a sellout crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The event will run from August 19 to 20, with the first and second rounds taking place on Tuesday and the semifinals and final on Wednesday.


The new format has received mixed reactions, with some praising the spotlight on singles stars and others criticizing the reduced number of teams. Doubles specialists have been particularly vocal about the changes, while fans are excited to see unique pairings like Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz, and Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud. Despite the differing opinions, the tournament is expected to draw a large audience, with prices for courtside seats reaching over $500 on secondary ticketing platforms.


The US Open's mixed doubles competition is getting a star-studded lineup this year, featuring some unexpected pairings. Past US Open singles champions Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz will team up, while six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek joins forces with 2022 finalist Casper Ruud. This new format brings together top singles players in a mixed doubles event, generating excitement among fans.


The new format has received mixed reactions, with some fans and players expressing enthusiasm, while others, like veteran doubles players Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, criticize the change as a “profound injustice.” However, the US Open's senior director for player relations and business development, Eric Butorac, believes the format will attract more fans and attention to the sport.


The US Open's revamped mixed doubles tournament has generated buzz among fans, with courtside seats for Wednesday's semifinals and final selling for over $500 on StubHub. Eric Butorac, the tournament's senior director for player relations and business development, noted that while not everyone is thrilled about the changes, the overall fan response has been overwhelmingly positive.


Fan Reaction:

  • Fans are excited to see top singles players team up in mixed doubles
  • Positive response despite some initial skepticism about the format change
  • Courtside seats for Wednesday's semis and final are in high demand, with prices starting at over $500


Butorac attributed the success to the unique pairings of top singles players, which has piqued the interest of tennis enthusiasts. The tournament's new format features 16 teams, with eight entries based on combined singles rankings and eight wildcards, competing for a $1 million prize.


The US Open's new mixed doubles format was inspired by the 2019 Wimbledon mixed doubles match featuring Serena Williams and Andy Murray. According to US Open senior director Eric Butorac, “We saw what happened at Wimbledon, and we thought, 'This is something that we could do and something that we should do.'” This high-profile match showed how mixed doubles could captivate fans and the media, leading the US Open to rethink its approach.


The success of mixed events in other sports has also influenced the US Open's decision. Golf, athletics, and swimming have all added mixed events to their Olympic agendas, demonstrating the potential for these formats to draw in new fans. The NBA's 3-Point Contest featuring WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu last year resulted in a significant surge in TV viewership, further supporting the US Open's new approach.


Key Takeaways:

Inspiration: The 2019 Wimbledon mixed doubles match featuring Serena Williams and Andy Murray.
Impact: Increased fan engagement and media attention.

Cross-Sport Influence: Mixed events in golf, athletics, and swimming at the Olympics, and Sabrina Ionescu's participation in the NBA 3-Point Contest.

Goal: To bring more attention and excitement to the mixed doubles competition at the US Open.


According to Iga Swiatek, “When the singles players are playing mixed doubles, it's a great thing for fans.” The significant increase in prize money, up to $1 million for the winners, has certainly sweetened the deal. This amount represents a five-fold increase from last year's $200,000 prize for the champions.


Key Details:

  • Prize Money: The winning team will receive $1 million, a substantial increase from $200,000 in 2024.
  • New Format: The tournament features 16 teams, with 8 teams seeded based on singles rankings and 8 wildcard entries.
  • Schedule: The mixed doubles tournament will take place on August 19-20, before the singles main draw starts.
  • Participating Stars: Top players like Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu, and Jannik Sinner have signed up to participate.


The new format has received mixed reactions from players, with some embracing the change and others criticizing it. Swiatek's enthusiasm highlights the potential benefits of this revamped tournament, which could attract more fans and generate increased revenue for the US Open.


Criticism Surrounding the US Open's New Mixed Doubles Format

The US Open's revamped mixed doubles tournament has drawn significant criticism from veteran doubles players, including Italian reigning champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori. They've called the new format a “profound injustice” that disrespects an entire category of players. Errani and Vavassori, who earned a wildcard entry, questioned the logic behind prioritizing singles rankings over doubles prowess.


Player Concerns

Other players have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the new format. 

Here are some key concerns:

Lack of Representation: Doubles Olympic champion Katerina Siniakova wonders why top doubles players need wildcard entries, implying that the format favors singles players.

Devaluation of Doubles Titles: Players feel that the new format devalues their Grand Slam titles and disregards their career achievements.

Unfair Treatment: Jan Zielinski, a two-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion, criticizes the US Open for “unfair” treatment, stating that winning two Grand Slam titles isn't enough to secure an invitation.


Format Changes and Prize Money

Despite the criticism, the US Open has increased the prize money for the mixed doubles event to $1 million, a significant jump from last year's $200,000. The tournament will feature 16 teams, with eight entries based on combined singles rankings and eight wildcard entries. Matches will have a unique format, with sets played to four games and a 10-point tiebreak.


“When we had those conversations with the doubles players, I don't think any of them necessarily liked the decision, but I think a lot of them understood that from a broader fan perspective, this is something that we really want to try,” said Butorac.


Tournament Details:

Venues: Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium
Schedule: August 19-20
Format: 16 teams, best-of-three first-to-four games sets with a 10-point tie-break
Prize Money: $1,000,000 for the winners, a significant increase from $200,000 last year

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