NEW DELHI: The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has announced a significant overhaul of the mixed doubles event at the US Open.
The mixed doubles competition will now be held as a standalone event in the week preceding the main men's and women's singles draws, scheduled for August 19-20 at the Flushing Meadows venue.
The tournament will feature 16 teams, with eight teams gaining direct entry based on their combined singles rankings, and the remaining eight teams receiving wild-card entries.
The USTA aims to elevate the mixed doubles event by scheduling it on the prestigious Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium courts, enabling more fans worldwide to witness their favorite stars compete for the coveted Grand Slam title.
However, this move has drawn criticism from some quarters, with concerns raised about devaluing the mixed doubles title and limiting opportunities for doubles specialists.
Former doubles world number one Paul McNamee expressed his disapproval, stating that the changes would not produce a legitimate mixed doubles winner at the US Open.
"Sets to four games in a Grand Slam? 16 teams with eight based on singles rankings and eight wildcards. I'm sorry, but the US Open now will not produce a bona fide mixed doubles winner," McNamee wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "Devalued from a Grand Slam title to an exo (exhibition). Let's just say I'm in shock."
Additionally, last year's champions, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, labelled the decision a "profound injustice" that disrespects an entire category of players.
"Making decisions just following the logic of profit is profoundly wrong in some situations," the duo wrote. "In the last few weeks we received the news that the US Open mixed doubles tournament will be completely turned upside down, cancelled and replaced with a pseudo-exhibition focused only on entertainment and show.
"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."
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