US Open Mixed Doubles Revamp: How Does It Work?

Hi loves,

The final grand slam of the year is fast approaching, and it is going to look slightly different to what we are used to. The US Open 2025 is introducing a new format within the mixed doubles competition, and it is wildly different to anything we have seen on a grand slam stage. I have been discussing the format with multiple people over the last few weeks, and there was always a point where I thought 'I don't think I actually understand how this will work'. So I have done my homework, and here we are. Let’s break it down; how does it work, who is involved, what are the thoughts of the tennis world, and what do I think. 

How does it work?

This year, the US Open Mixed Doubles is taking place outside of the normal two week period of a grand slam. The US Open singles, men's doubles and women's doubles will take place from 24th August - 7 September, and the mixed doubles will take place over two days from 19th - 20th August. It will take place across two stadiums at the Billie Jean Kind National Tennis Center; Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium, and will include 16 teams.

The sets format is also changing for the initial rounds, with the matches consisting of best-of-three sets with sets to four games, rather than the usual six. Games will be no-ad games, meaning if the games get to 40-40 deuce, the next point wins the game - this is also known as sudden death deuce. If the matches reach a final set, the final set will be replaced with a 10-point tiebreak. The 10-point tiebreak will be the same as what we are used to, with one team needing to win by 2 clear points.

The final will be a more familiar format, with the match being a best-of-three set match with sets to six games. A tiebreak will be played if a set reaches 6-6 in games. There will still be a no-ad/sudden death deuce system and a 10 point tiebreak replaces a potential final set.

The winning pair will receive $1million. Not bad if you ask me.

Simple. Right?

Who is involved?

Well, we aren’t completely sure yet. Sorry to disappoint - I can’t bring you breaking news unfortunately. All we know so far is the ‘shortlist’ of the 25 teams who have entered. Out of these 25, 16 teams will be selected to compete. Here is the official list:

Emma Navarro & Jannik Sinner	Amanda Anisimova & Holger Rune	Iga Swiatek & Casper Ruud	Desirae Krawczyk & Evan King	Olga Danilovic & Novak Djokovic
Jasmine Paolini & Lorenzo Musetti	Elena Rybakina & Taylor Fritz	Belinda Bencic & Alexander Zverev	Sara Errani & Andrea Vavassori	Karolina Muchova & Andrey Rublev
Mirra Andreeva & Daniil Medvedev	Madison Keys & Frances Tiafoe	Jessica Pegula & Tommy Paul	Gaby Dabrowski & Felix Auger-Aliassime	Aryna Sabalenka & Grigor Dimitrov
Emma Raducanu & Carlos Alcaraz	Katie Boulter & Alex de Minaur	Donna Vekic & Hubert Hurkacz	Venus Williams & Reilly Opelka	Hsieh Su-Wei & Jan Zielinski
Naomi Osaka & Nick Kyrgios	Taylor Townsend & Ben Shelton	Iva Jovic & Jenson Brooksby	Demi Schuurs & Tallon Griekspoor	Katerina Siniakova & Marcelo Arevalo

The selection process will be as follows:

• 8 teams will be selected based on singles ranking (explained below)

• 8 teams will be awarded wildcards by the tournament

The teams selected based on rankings will work by combining the pairs singles rankings, and ranking those totals from lowest to highest. The eight teams with the lowest combined ranking will be entered into the event. For example, Jannik Sinner and Emma Navarro are hoping to play together, and their current rankings are 1 and 11 respectively*, so their combined ranking is 12. Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu are another pair, whose current rankings are 2 and 33*, so their combined ranking is 35. Therefore Sinner and Navarro would be picked over Alcaraz and Raducanu. Following me?

*Rankings as at 29/07/2025

The remaining eight who are given wildcards will be chosen completely by the tournament, so these will be chosen from the remaining 17 teams.

What do people think?

2024 Mixed Doubles Champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori released a joint statement against the revamp when it was originally announced. They slammed the changes, saying the focus on profit is disrespecting an entire category of players, and labelling it a ‘pseudo-exhibition’. Errani and Vavassori are on the shortlist to enter the tournament, so it will be interesting to see if they express any different views if they are given the chance to compete.

Errani and Vavassori won the US Open Mixed Doubles Title in 2024.

Former world number one doubles player Kristina Mladenovic has said this tournament should not be described as a grand slam, and has called it ‘problematic’ and ‘embarrassing’. She believes it has been turned into an exhibition, just like Errani and Vavassori.

Current WTA doubles number one Taylor Townsend, however, has defended the tournament and effectively said that just because the format is different, that doesn’t mean it is wrong. Townsend spoke to tennis.com, stating ‘it’s something we don’t understand because it’s never been done in the history of the sport’. Townsend is paired up with Ben Shelton, who incidentally called her the best mixed doubles player in the world and said he would only opt to enter this tournament if he could play with her (he’s such a fangirl, adorable). They will almost definitely need to rely on a wildcard to enter the tournament, so watch this space.

What do I think?

Overall, I think this will work from an entertainment perspective. People want to see the biggest stars on the biggest stages, and this is giving more people an opportunity to see their favourite players. It is also a huge insult to the top doubles players, though. The message being sent is ‘people won’t watch the Mixed Doubles regardless of how innovative and accessible it is’ if the players aren’t headline makers. I think common sense has to come into play when the wildcards are given out. For example, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are defending champions of this event, but they will be relying on a wildcard to enter the event, because their singles rankings are not high enough to enter. In my mind, they should be almost guaranteed a spot. Other top doubles players, such as Siniakova and Arevalo (who are partnered for the event) should be getting a spot to compete.

In summary, as long as those who deserve a spot, get a spot, and there is big names there to add a different dimension, I am quite keen to watch it!

My entry list predictions (just for a bit of fun!):

• Emma Navarro & Jannik Sinner

• Amanda Anisimova & Holger Rune

• Venus Williams & Reilly Opelka

• Olga Danilovic & Novak Djokovic

• Emma Raducanu & Carlos Alcaraz

• Taylor Townsend & Ben Shelton

• Sara Errani & Andrea Vavassori

• Jasmine Paolini & Lorenzo Musetti

• Iga Swiatek & Caspar Ruud

• Madison Keys & Ben Shelton

• Mirra Andreeva & Daniil Medvedev

• Elena Rybakina & Taylor Fritz

• Katerina Siniakova & Marcelo Arevalo

• Karolina Muchova & Andrey Rublev

• Jessica Pegula & Tommy Paul

• Hsieh Su-Wei & Jan Zielinski

I guess it is now time to just wait and see who appears on the final entry list. I do hope to see a nice mix of top singles players and top doubles players in the draw. The main thing I am still stuck on is whether this tournament is a 'real' grand slam tournament in my eyes. I am still not sure that is it. But my opinion may change when I see the spectacle it is bound to be!

Until next time, keep serving!

E x