Tennis and reality TV haven’t always been a match made in heaven. Break Point had its moment but fizzled out after the second season. But what if tennis stars jumped into a reality show that’s already a massive hit? Something dramatic, romantic, and packed with intrigue—like Love Island.Imagine the ATP and WTA stars swapping match points for romantic escapades. From power couples like Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas to solo heartthrobs like Matteo Berrettini, Carlos Alcaraz, and Grigor Dimitrov, there’s no shortage of star-studded contestants. So, who would be the ultimate reality show favorite?

When players were asked to choose three fellow stars to enter a dating show, some interesting names surfaced. And one stood out—Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek was a popular choice, despite being in a long-term relationship with WTA No. 11 Paula Badosa.

Grigor Dimitrov, never one to shy away from playful banter, made his picks crystal clear. “I’m a good wingman. I go Jack Draper, Hubie Hurkacz, maybe I take Stefanos. Paula will be mad,” Dimitrov joked. “I take the pretty boys. I mean, they’re studs, look at them. Two metres tall, have the swagger going on, young.”

Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas first went public with their relationship during the 2023 French Open. Their romance quickly became one of the most talked-about partnerships in tennis, with both players openly supporting each other. However, like any reality show-worthy love story, they hit a rough patch. The couple briefly split in 2024, only to reconcile weeks later. Now, they’re back stronger than ever, proving that their love can endure both personal and professional hurdles.

For Badosa, the past two years haven’t been easy. A lingering back injury kept her off the tour for long periods. But through it all, Tsitsipas remained her biggest cheerleader, pushing her to stage a comeback. The Spaniard, in turn, has been a steady presence for Tsitsipas through his highs and lows on the court. Now, they’re taking their partnership to a whole new level—by competing together on court.

Paula Badosa and Stefano Tsitsipas to play mixed doubles at the US Open

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has announced a major shake-up for mixed doubles at the US Open. In a bid to boost interest, the event will now take place the week before the main draw. The entire tournament will be condensed into two days. Early rounds will follow a best-of-three sets format and each set will be first to four games, with no-ad scoring. Eight teams will qualify based on their combined singles ranking and the remaining eight teams will receive wildcards.

The changes are designed to make mixed doubles more exciting, faster-paced, and more appealing to fans. And for one particular couple, the timing couldn’t be better. Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas already have one mixed doubles title under their belt. They won an exhibition event at the US Open in 2024, dubbed “best date night ever.” Now, they want to turn that chemistry into a Grand Slam title at the US Open.“She’s the mixed doubles partner I would always play with,” the Greek tennis player said. “I don’t have any other options out there or any other female player that I would want to play mixed doubles with. She’s always under my consideration and always someone I would want to share the court with.”

With their bond both on and off the court, the couple could be a serious threat in New York. The only question is—can their love story translate into a winning formula at a Grand Slam?