The 2025 US Open introduced a revamped mixed doubles format designed to energize the event, taking place over just two days during ‘fan week’ at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. This innovative approach brought together 16 teams, including top singles players, competing for the title and a $1 million prize, making the tournament a highlight for fans and participants alike.
Positive Reactions to the New Mixed Doubles Structure at the US Open
The new, condensed schedule of the US Open mixed doubles competition quickly proved popular, attracting full crowds on its final day. Brad Gilbert, the former coach of Coco Gauff, praised the event’s success on social media, emphasizing the importance of strong attendance after years of doubles matches being viewed as secondary.
The fact that there’s a full crowd tonight is a massive win, kudos to the US Open on the new format,
Gilbert remarked, acknowledging the positive shift in audience engagement. The packed stadium created an electric atmosphere for fans witnessing high-level doubles play.
The final showcased an intense battle between defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who overcame Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud with a scoreline of 6-3, 5-7, 10-6. Gilbert highlighted the exceptional net skills of the winning pair, praising their dominance and hinting at their continued difficulty to defeat in future events.
[Andrea] Vavassori is absolutely a beast at the net, [Sara] Errani is very sneaky good at the net as well, they will be extremely difficult to beat,
Gilbert said in his analysis of the team’s strengths. Their title defense reinforced the status of doubles specialists within a competition bolstered by enthusiastic crowds.
By securing the championship once more, Errani and Vavassori made a compelling statement for the doubles format and its players, signaling potential growth and increased recognition for mixed doubles in upcoming tournaments. Their victory, set against the backdrop of an engaged audience, demonstrated the event’s newfound appeal.
Impact of Grand Slam Champions on the Mixed Doubles Event
The 2025 US Open mixed doubles featured eight players who had previously won Grand Slam singles titles, including well-known names such as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Naomi Osaka, Daniil Medvedev, and Iga Swiatek. Despite this star-studded lineup, only Medvedev and Swiatek managed to advance beyond the first round, as most former singles champions exited early.
This outcome positioned two less heralded pairs, Errani/Vavassori and Danielle Collins/Christian Harrison, as semifinalists, highlighting the competitiveness of doubles specialists relative to singles stars in the mixed doubles field. Their presence in the later stages, combined with the crowds’ enthusiasm, showcased the fresh energy the new format brought to this category.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Mixed Doubles in Grand Slams
Following the apparent success and heightened attention the US Open generated with its revised mixed doubles schedule, tennis fans and commentators are curious whether other Grand Slam tournaments will adopt a similar approach. The Australian Open, the next major event, is particularly in focus, although its tournament director Craig Tiley has expressed reluctance to implement changes in the near future.
The Australian Open, set to begin on January 12, 2026, currently does not plan to alter its mixed doubles format. Whether Tiley will reconsider based on the US Open’s example remains uncertain, yet the enthusiasm from New York’s fans and players could influence future decisions across the tennis calendar.
As the sport continues to evolve, the US Open’s bold move to revamp its mixed doubles event may serve as a model for elevating doubles tennis and drawing greater fan interest, proving to be a significant step toward balancing the spotlight among all disciplines.