Ben Shelton will compete at the 2025 US Open aiming to capture his first Grand Slam singles title while also partnering with Taylor Townsend in the newly redesigned mixed doubles tournament. Shelton’s growing confidence comes after his recent Masters 1000 victory at the Canadian Open, and his pairing with Townsend highlights the excitement surrounding this year’s US Open mixed doubles event.
Changes to the Mixed Doubles Format at the US Open
The US Open has introduced major changes to the mixed doubles competition in 2025, shifting the event to take place during “Fan Week” rather than alongside the singles and traditional doubles matches. The tournament field has been cut from 32 teams to just 16, featuring top ATP and WTA singles players, making the draw more exclusive and competitive.
New match rules require teams to win four games to claim a set in the first three rounds, while the final will still follow the traditional six-game set format. Shelton and Townsend form one of the prominent pairs, and both are eager to contest the title under these fresh conditions.
Ben Shelton Expresses Excitement about Teaming Up with Taylor Townsend
Reflecting on their previous collaboration and the upcoming tournament, Shelton highlighted Townsend’s crucial role and the entertainment they bring as a team.
“This kind of sums up what we were doing at the Open that year, which was basically Taylor putting the team on her back, hitting all the hot shots,”
Shelton shared through the US Open’s social media channels.
He also anticipates lively celebrations and an engaging atmosphere similar to their past experiences, despite the event now occurring before the main tournament.
“We had some really cool celebrations, I think that’s what you can expect again. It was packed every time we were playing at The Open, so I hope it’s the same [this year]. I know it’s in the pre-week this year, but I think it will be a lot of fun, a lot of the same.”
Shelton expressed confidence in their prospects as a team, noting Townsend’s exceptional record in mixed doubles:
“It’s a great player field, but whenever I have Taylor on my team I like my chances in mixed doubles. She’s the best mixed doubles player in the world so I think we have got a good shot.”
Previous Success of Shelton and Townsend as a Mixed Doubles Pair
Shelton and Townsend previously teamed up at the 2023 US Open, when Shelton was just 20 years old. They quickly made an impact by defeating the fourth-seeded duo of Luisa Stefani and Joe Salisbury in straight sets during their opener.
Following that victory, the pair also overcame Aldila Sutjiadi and Rohan Bopanna with a 6-2, 7-5 win. Their strong run continued through the tournament as they defeated Demi Schuurs and Hugo Nys to reach the semi-finals.
However, their journey ended in a tightly contested deciding match tiebreak against Jessica Pegula and Austin Krajicek. After two years apart, both Shelton and Townsend have advanced their games and now return as one of the mixed doubles event’s most promising teams.
What the Future Holds for Shelton and Townsend at the US Open
With Shelton’s singles career on the rise and their established chemistry in mixed doubles, the duo brings confidence and high expectations to the 2025 US Open. The revamped mixed doubles format offers a fresh challenge, emphasizing quick, intense matches that could showcase their skills and teamwork.
As fan engagement grows with the event moved to a dedicated “Fan Week,” Shelton and Townsend’s performance will be a key highlight, potentially setting the stage for an exciting tournament chapter. Their combination of Shelton’s recent momentum and Townsend’s mixed doubles experience makes them a strong contender to watch as the US Open unfolds in New York.