Martina Navratilova called for the US Open mixed doubles revamped tournament to be made an exhibition, and she may have a point after the new format debuted at Flushing Meadows.
The 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles tournament introduced significant changes aimed at increasing visibility and excitement for the event, with Novak Djokovic, Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz among those to participate.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) condensed the competition into a two-day format during qualifying week, reduced the field to 16 teams-eight determined by combined singles rankings and eight through wildcards-and implemented shortened sets of four games with no-ad scoring.
The winner’s prize money increased to $1 million, reflecting a clear focus on elevating the profile of mixed doubles.
The revamped format attracted several top singles players, including Alcaraz, Raducanu, Iga Swiatek, Casper Ruud, Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, generating widespread media interest and drawing fans to Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The event achieved record attendance, aired in over 170 countries, and featured a festival-like atmosphere with music and enhanced fan engagement. By combining star power with a condensed schedule, the USTA successfully transformed mixed doubles into a headline attraction during the tournament.
Mixed reactions in the tennis community
Despite its popularity, the changes prompted a range of reactions from the tennis world. Martina Navratilova, a multiple Grand Slam doubles champion, expressed concern over the exclusion of traditional doubles specialists, noting that many players missed the opportunity to compete and earn prize money.
Katerina Siniakova, the current world No. 1 in doubles and recent Wimbledon and Olympic mixed doubles champion, was unable to secure a wildcard. Her potential participation was further curtailed after her replacement partner withdrew, preventing her from competing entirely.
These responses highlighted ongoing tensions between the USTA’s commercial objectives and the competitive integrity of mixed doubles.
Singles players largely welcomed the opportunity to participate. Frances Tiafoe described it as a chance to compete on Arthur Ashe Stadium’s main court while earning additional prize money.
Jack Draper initially referred to the event as an exhibition, but later emphasized the competitiveness of the later rounds. Novak Djokovic noted the challenges of transitioning from singles to doubles, particularly the need for precise positioning and coordination with partners who are rarely practiced together.
Amid these dynamics, doubles specialists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori emerged as champions. As the only established doubles team in the draw, they underscored the value of specialized skills in mixed doubles.
Who won the US Open mixed doubles?
The pair navigated the tournament without dropping a set until the final, ultimately overcoming top singles players such as Swiatek and Ruud. Errani dedicated the victory to doubles professionals excluded from the event, while Vavassori emphasized their mission to represent the broader doubles community.
Both players highlighted the potential for mixed doubles to grow as a spectator sport with appropriate marketing and support. Vavassori recalled a conversation with John McEnroe, who commended the effort to raise the profile of doubles.
Their performance demonstrated that, while experimental formats can attract broader attention, doubles expertise remains critical to success.
The 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles event illustrated how strategic innovation can increase fan engagement, enhance commercial appeal, and showcase elite talent. Despite debates over format and inclusivity, the tournament successfully elevated mixed doubles from a secondary competition into a highly visible component of the Grand Slam calendar.
Read the full article here
