New Delhi: The US Open will implement a major revamp to the mixed doubles format in the 2025 edition to lure the top singles stars to play in the doubles. The revamp will see the mixed doubles championship move a week before the tournament begins, and will also come with a $1 million prize money boost in a bid to persuade top singles players to go for Grand Slam doubles glory.
This year’s event, which will begin on August 24, will feature 16 teams battling it out over two days in shorter matches. According to the tournament organisers, the move can attract the biggest tennis superstars, many of often avoid playing in doubles to keep themselves fresh for singles.
“What I would say is the reason behind this is to appeal to more fans and grow the fan base around the world,” said Lew Sherr, executive director and CEO of the U.S. Tennis Association.
As per the new plan, the mixed doubles matches will be contested on Aug. 19 and 20, at the same time of qualifying rounds for men’s and women’s singles.
What is the revamped format and how does it work?
The revamped format will see the early round matches being contested in the best-of-three sets played to just four games, with a deciding point played at deuce. Tiebreakers would be at 4-all – instead of 6-6 in a regular match – and a 10-point match tiebreaker will act as a decider, rather than a third set, if the teams win one set each
The final, however, will closely resemble a Grand Slam match where a best-of-three sets will be played to six games with no advantage scoring with the tiebreakers ending at 6-6 and a 10-point match tiebreaker.
According to Sherr, USTA were pondering to change the format in previous years but the idea materalised when a “Mixed Madness” event during the qualifying week last year saw a host of singles superstars including Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Nick Kyrgios and Ben Shelton participate in the double event, which was eventually won by Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa.
A whopping $500,000 prize was set for the exhibition event, which witnessed the participation of just four teams. But the prize money has been doubled this year which could attract top stars and create a competition worthy of a Grand Slam title.
Teams and likely participants
Eight teams will get direct entry by their combined singles rankings while the other eight teams will be handed wild cards into the field. While Sherr did not reveal the potential participants who had committed to play the revamped format, he said that enough players have expressed interest and there are likely to be major announcements in the coming weeks, long before the event begins.
The tournament will be staged at the Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong – two biggest stadiums – and televised by ESPN in primetime, giving doubles a singles-like exposure. .
However, the influx of singles stars will squeeze out doubles specialists who count on Grand Slam prize money and now lose access to one of them. But Sherr said the prize money allocated for the 32-team mixed doubles tournament last year would be redirected toward men’s and women’s doubles.
(With AP inputs)
US Open 2025: The mixed doubles matches will be played on August 19 and 20, at the same time of qualifying rounds for men’s and women’s singles. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
