Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani secured a victory over Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina in the opening round of the US Open mixed doubles event, while expressing strong criticism of the tournament’s revised format. The changes, which have excluded many specialist mixed doubles players and allowed prominent singles competitors to form teams, have drawn widespread complaints from the tennis community.

This year, the US Open’s mixed doubles event was restructured as an exhibition competition, separate from the main Grand Slam draw. This shift provoked backlash from players and fans alike, as it devalued the event and limited the participation of dedicated mixed doubles athletes. Vavassori and Errani, entering as defending champions, were notably left unseeded under the new system, intensifying their discontent.

Defending Champions Voice Their Concerns About New Mixed Doubles Structure

Prior to the tournament, Vavassori and Errani publicly opposed the format changes, expressing their frustration through a heartfelt note. The 2025 French Open mixed doubles champions viewed the decision as a disregard for players dedicated to this discipline. On social media, they condemned the organizers for making unilateral changes that compromised the integrity of the competition.

“A decision made without consulting anyone, which we can do nothing but accept it. We see it as a profound injustice, that disrespect an entire category of players. Put money above tennis is never a good idea.”

—Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani, Mixed Doubles Players

Last month, fellow doubles expert Katerina Siniakova also openly criticized the US Open’s revised approach to the mixed doubles event, calling attention to the wider discontent among professionals.

Vavassori and Errani Highlight the Unique Tactics Behind Successful Doubles Teams

Following their win over the second-seeded Fritz and Rybakina pair, Vavassori emphasized the strategic depth required in doubles play. In an on-court interview, he underscored the importance of teamwork and familiarity between partners, which he believes sets specialized doubles teams apart from pairing top singles players for publicity.

“I think the tactic in doubles is very important. They are amazing players, we all know that but in doubles, I think also the combination of the two players, we know each other so well, we are playing a lot of tournaments together. We talk a lot also outside of the court about tactics, we love to challenge each other also on the practice courts, so I think it is very important. We’re also playing for all the doubles players that could not compete here, so we tried to do our best.”

—Andrea Vavassori, Doubles Player

Vavassori and Errani are scheduled to face Karolina Muchova and Andrey Rublev in their upcoming quarterfinal match, continuing their pursuit for another US Open mixed doubles title despite the ongoing controversy.

Implications of the Format Changes for Mixed Doubles Specialists

The altered format at the US Open signals a growing divide between traditional doubles specialists and the tournament’s marketing interests, which favor pairing star singles players for increased visibility. The exclusion of established mixed doubles teams from seedings and draws undermines their competitive opportunities and challenges the event’s prestige.

Vavassori and Errani’s outspoken concerns highlight a broader struggle within tennis regarding the balance between commercial appeal and respect for the sport’s dedicated practitioners. The responses from players and fans suggest continued debate as future Grand Slam tournaments consider how best to showcase mixed doubles competition without marginalizing its specialists.