The US Open is still months away, but controversy is already brewing over changes to the mixed doubles competition. The tournament will feature shorter sets up to four games, fewer participants, and will be condensed into a two-day event. Many professional players have criticised the adjustments, calling them unfair and detrimental to the competition’s integrity.
One of the most vocal critics is German player Laura Siegemund, who expressed her disappointment with the changes. “A serious competition is being reduced to a short exhibition event, where the new scoring system turns winning and losing into a matter of luck rather than a reflection of quality,” she told Tennis Magazine. Siegemund, a two-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion, secured one of her titles at the US Open in 2016.
A Shortened Format and Fewer Players
This year, the mixed doubles event will take place on 19 and 20 August, preceding the main US Open, which begins on 24 August. The format has been significantly altered, with just 16 pairs competing. Unlike traditional matches that require six games to win a set, players in this revamped competition will only need four. The decision to halve the number of participants has particularly angered Siegemund, currently ranked 20th in the doubles world rankings.
“The USTA is creating an event where they have near-total control over who plays and who doesn’t, instead of ensuring fair participation for all,” she stated.
Siegemund is not alone in her criticism. Italian mixed doubles champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori have also voiced their disappointment, calling the decision “deeply wrong.” Meanwhile, Polish player Jan Zielinski, who won mixed doubles titles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2024, described the changes as “sad” and accused the organisers of lacking respect for the sport’s history and traditions.
Players Excluded from the Decision-Making Process
A key point of frustration among players is that they were not consulted before these changes were introduced. “All these decisions were made without even considering the players for whom the mixed doubles event was originally designed,” Siegemund pointed out. “Especially in the United States, where doubles and mixed doubles enjoy great respect and a long-standing tradition from club level to college and professional tennis, I find this move completely incomprehensible.”
Despite the backlash from professionals, USTA Chief Executive Lew Sherr defended the changes, saying: “I couldn’t be more excited to introduce this groundbreaking innovation at the US Open in 2025.”
The controversy surrounding the mixed doubles format highlights an ongoing debate within the tennis world—whether tournaments should prioritise tradition and player input or embrace structural changes aimed at modernising the sport.
