US Open 2025: Mixed Doubles Reimagined, Star Power On Court, Sparks Debate
The U.S. Open’s 2025 mixed doubles event was reshaped into a rapid, two-day showcase during Fan Week, featuring shortened sets, no-ad scoring, tiebreakers at four games, and a decisive 10-point match tiebreaker in lieu of a full third set. With a $1 million prize on the line, some of the sport’s biggest singles stars entered the field—many for their first-ever mixed doubles appearance—turning a traditional doubles format into a blockbuster showdown played entirely at Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadiums.
U.S. Tennis Association chief executive Lew Sherr framed the change as an effort to elevate the event and attract top talent. “In our initial discussions about reimagining and elevating the U.S. Open Mixed Doubles Championship, we wanted to find a way to showcase the world’s best men and women competing with and against one another, and we were confident that we would be able to get the top players in the game excited about this unique opportunity,” Sherr said.
The format shift clearly worked on paper, drawing participation from eight of the top ten women and the world’s top ten men in the final entry list. Of 25 teams, 16 advanced to Day 1 through a mix of direct entries based on combined singles rankings and wild cards. The event aimed to capitalize on broader attention for the Open, even as it generated controversy within the doubles community.
Critics argued the new structure undercut doubles specialists’ pursuit of Grand Slam glory. Reigning mixed doubles champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori labeled the move a “profound injustice” and “pseudo-exhibition,” insisting a Grand Slam should be about long-term sacrifice and dedication, not a one-off format. Kristina Mladenovic, a nine-time Grand Slam doubles champion, warned that the event risked diminishing the meaning of what it means to win a Grand Slam.
The on-court action delivered a fast-paced, highly spectator-friendly product. The day began with a high-profile pairing: newly minted world number two Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud opened Day 1 against Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe, dispatching them in a brisk 39 minutes. Fresh off Cincinnati form and riding momentum, Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu—rumored to be navigating romance rumors amid the event—fell short against Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, whose net play proved decisive.
In the bottom half, Errani and Vavassori demonstrated why they entered as the defending champions, winning decisively against Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz. No. 1 WTA doubles player Taylor Townsend teamed with Ben Shelton to beat Amanda Anisimova and Holger Rune in a tight, high-energy match. One standout moment from Day 1 was a bagel-shaped upset: Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison took down Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev as crowds roared through a rare one-sided set.
The quarterfinals reinforced the event’s rollercoaster nature: Pegula and Draper, along with Swiatek and Ruud, dominated their half of the bracket in straightforward fashion. In the bottom half, Collins and Harrison upset Townsend and Shelton in a 46-minute win, and Errani and Vavassori defeated Karolina Muchova and Andrey Rublev to advance to the semis.
Day 2 delivered the anticipated semifinals and the final. The semifinal between Swiatek/Ruud and Pegula/Draper was a dramatic back-and-forth affair that went to a decisive third-set tiebreak after a streak of gripping games. Swiatek and Ruud fought back from an 8-4 deficit to force a deciding moment, with Swiatek sealing the win on what she called “the most important volley of [my] life.” In the other semi, Errani and Vavassori played with the precision and cohesion of seasoned doubles specialists to outpace Collins and Harrison.
The championship pitted wildcard winners Errani and Vavassori against Swiatek and Ruud in a sold-out Arthur Ashe Stadium, with a $1 million prize and Grand Slam prestige at stake. Each side converted three break points, but Swiatek and Ruud ultimately faltered late, as Errani and Vavassori pulled ahead to win the crucial tiebreak after a strategic underhand serve on match point. The champions became two-time U.S. Open mixed doubles titlists, leaving many in the crowd celebrating not only the victory but the broader message: this event can be thrilling and commercially successful even as it raises questions about the role of dedicated doubles specialists.
The tournament’s reception was mixed. Fans widely applauded the high-level competition and star power, but players and organizers remain at odds over the format’s future. While the new structure boosted visibility and attracted top singles players, it did so by limiting opportunities for traditional doubles specialists to compete for a Grand Slam title. Errani, speaking at the trophy ceremony, framed the victory as a tribute to all doubles players who were left out, saying, “This one is also for the doubles players who couldn’t play this tournament. This one is for them.”
Editor’s note and outlook:
– The event demonstrated that a two-day, high-stakes mixed doubles format can captivate a broad audience, particularly when it leverages the star power of current singles champions.
– The backlash from some doubles specialists suggests the future of the format will require balancing star participation with access for established doubles teams to compete for major titles.
– If the goal is ongoing fan engagement, organizers may consider hybrid approaches—preserving some elements of the condensed format while offering guaranteed slots for top doubles teams to ensure continued depth in the doubles field.
– The keynote takeaway is clear: big-name crossovers raise the profile of mixed doubles, but the sport must address the concerns of those who build the discipline at the professional level.
Summary:
The 2025 U.S. Open reimagined mixed doubles as a two-day, fan-focused spectacle featuring top singles players, a million-dollar prize, and a fast-paced, short-set format. While it delivered dramatic results and record interest, it also sparked a debate about the long-term place of traditional doubles specialists in Grand Slam competition. The final victory by Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori underscored the quality of play and the enduring appeal of doubles, even as the sport weighs how best to balance star power with the sport’s doubles heritage.
Positive takeaway:
The event delivered instant appeal for fans, drew elite participants, and produced a compelling final that highlighted skill, strategy, and teamwork. If balanced thoughtfully, future editions could merge broad spectator interest with authentic opportunities for all doubles players to chase Grand Slam glory.