The US Open’s decision to revamp its mixed doubles format has sparked significant backlash from players, who feel the changes are unfair and disrespectful to doubles specialists. The competition, set to take place on August 19-20, will now feature only 16 teams half the number from last year and will take place the week before the main singles draw.
Under the new qualification process, eight teams will earn direct entry based on their combined singles ranking rather than their doubles ranking. The remaining eight teams will receive wildcard entries. This shift prioritizes singles players over established doubles specialists, a move that has drawn criticism from several top competitors.
Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori expressed their disappointment, calling the changes a “profound injustice” that disregards the contributions of doubles players. They argued that the new system turns the competition into a mere exhibition focused on entertainment rather than sporting merit. The pair, who triumphed last year over Taylor Townsend and Donald Young, lamented the lack of consideration for those who have dedicated themselves to doubles.
“In the last few weeks, we received the news that the US Open mixed doubles tournament will be completely turned upside down, canceled, and replaced with a pseudo-exhibition focused only on entertainment and show,” they stated. “We see it as a profound injustice that disrespects an entire category of players. We don’t know at the moment if we’ll have the chance to defend our title, but we hope this remains an isolated case.”
The tournament organizers defended the decision, emphasizing their desire to elevate mixed doubles and attract greater attention to the format. They cited the success of last year’s “Mixed Madness” event, which featured high-profile singles players in a similar setup. The organizers believe this approach will help grow the sport and inspire more participation.
However, many players remain unconvinced. Jan Zielinski, a mixed doubles champion at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon last year, criticized the decision, arguing that it was made without consulting the players and was purely profit-driven. Doubles specialist Ellen Perez echoed this frustration, expressing her dismay on social media by sarcastically suggesting that the new format implies that doubles players are undervalued.
The overhaul represents a significant shift away from tradition, reducing opportunities for doubles specialists while favoring singles stars. While the tournament’s increased prize money—offering $1 million to the winners might seem like a positive development, many players argue that it comes at the cost of fairness and respect for those who have built careers in doubles competition.
With the event now resembling an exhibition rather than a traditional Grand Slam competition, the decision raises broader concerns about the role of doubles in professional tennis. Whether this format remains a one-time experiment or sets a precedent for future tournaments remains to be seen, but for now, it has left a bitter taste for those who believe in the value of traditional mixed doubles competition.
