“We see it as a profound injustice, that disrespect an entire category of players…Put money above tennis is never a good idea”, Italian ATP pro Andrea Vavassori, the reigning US Open mixed doubles champion alongside Sara Errani, was disappointed after the US Open organizers introduced a major change ahead of 2025’s edition. The format will see a reduced number of mixed doubles team – 16 from 32. Plus, the matches will take place early in the fan week, for just two days. Not to mention the overhaul in sets, contracted to four games from six – except for the final. Per Vavassori, it feels more like a “pseudo-exhibition focused only on entertainment and show.” But other pros like Riley Opelka believe otherwise. Ex-WTA pro Coco Vandeweghe aligns with the latter’s argument.

After Vavassori’s remarks of disappointment, Opelka took a sly dig at the doubles format itself. He wrote on social media, “Wait..mixed dubs wasn’t always an exhibition” On a previous occasion, too, back in 2023 during an episode of Mark Shapiro’s podcast, he had a similar opinion. “I don’t think anyone is really a doubles specialist. I mean, if you go to any junior tournament and you ask bunch of young, aspiring tennis players, ‘What are your goals? What’s your end game? What do you dream of in tennis? There’s not a single one that’s gonna tell you – ‘I want to be a doubles specialist” 

In an episode of Tennis Channel live podcast, dated March 12, Vandeweghe, who won the 2018 doubles title with Ashleigh Barty at the Flushing Meadows, couldn’t help but admit the harsh reality. She chose to advocate for rising popularity in singles. “I just don’t think doubles sells in the same way that singles does,” she began. Explaining her point further, she said it’s “because we’re seeing just such a different generation of athlete out there on the singles court. You have Carlos Alcaraz sliding around the court. You have Coco Gauff playing unbelievable tennis. And that’s what sells for our sport. And I think the doubles players just need to realize that.” Case in point?

2023’s Wimbledon final between Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. The Spaniard beat the 24-time Major king to claim his first-ever grass court Slam. According to the BBC, over 15 million people from UK tuned in to watch the five-set match. The peak audience on BBC One reached 11.3 million viewers, marking the highest viewership for a Wimbledon final since Andy Murray’s 2016 triumph over Milos Raonic, which drew 13.3 million. How can we forget Gauff’s 2023 US Open campaign?

Coco Gauff”s victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the 2023 U.S. Open final drew an impressive 3.4 million viewers on ESPN, setting a new viewership record for a women’s major tennis final on the network. Notably, this viewership surpassed the men’s final on Sunday by over a million viewers, according to Front Office Sports.

Coco Gauff’s U.S. Open victory held significant historical weight: the Atlanta native became the first American, male or female, to win the title since 2017. Furthermore, ESPN reported a remarkable 92% increase in viewership compared to the previous year’s women’s final between Iga Świątek and Ons Jabeur.

Coming back to the revamped mixed doubles format, it may also look like an attempt to attract big singles names to participate in mixed doubles ties. Probably that’s why the prize money has been increased to $1 million now. Previously, the winner’s amount was $800,000. While players like Vavassori are against the changes, not all players think the same way. Take, for example, ATP World No.4 Taylor Fritz.

Taylor Fritz sides with revamped 2025 US Open mixed doubles format

Last month, the American ATP pro sat down with Sports Illustrated for an interview, dated February 28. Apart from his upcoming schedule and preparations for major events, he was asked to comment on the newly changed mixed doubles structure. Contrary to those who are upset, he had an interesting point to make.

“I think (doubles players) have a right to be upset, be angry. I think that’s the first thing I thought when I saw the mixed doubles thing. It’s like, O.K., now they’re finally going to put a lot of prize money into it. But doubles players aren’t going to get the opportunity to play. So, I get their side of it.” On the other hand, he also tried to explain the “business side of things,” behind this move.

“We’ll get the proof, I guess, at the U.S. Open. If the turnout for the mixed doubles event with the top singles players in it is much, much better and maybe in the tournament it feels like they’re profiting off of it more than (before), I don’t think you can argue with it from a business side of things. But obviously, a traditional side of things, like I get, what the doubles players (are saying). I get why they’re upset.”

In a previous instance, he was also quoted saying, “Mixed doubles isn’t adding that much to the slams. It’s not creating a lot of excitement…people will be more excited to watch it with the top singles players playing together,” reported Christian’s Court in a post on X dated February 12. It will be intriguing to see if the mixed doubles attract more viewers this time at the US Open following the overhaul.