The revamped US Open mixed doubles event has certainly divided opinion since its announcement.
Earlier this year it was announced that the US Open would be overhauling mixed doubles to give priority to singles players.
This was clear when the initial lineup was announced, featuring teams including Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, as well as Jannik Sinner and Emma Navarro.
The US Open’s decision has been criticised by last year’s champions amongst many others, and now the WTA doubles world number one has revealed if she thinks she will be able to play the event.
Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty ImagesKaterina Siniakova says if she thinks she will be able to play US Open mixed doubles
Katerina Siniakova is an 11-time Grand Slam champion in doubles and the current world number one, and has also won two Olympic gold medals, one in women’s doubles and her most recent in mixed.
The Czech, who has been ranked as high as world number 27, has just won her first Grand Slam mixed doubles title at Wimbledon alongside Sem Verbeek.
Following her latest major title victory, Siniakova spoke to Tennis Channel where she was asked about the US Open mixed doubles event.
Siniakova explained that she was unsure of whether she would be able to enter the tournament, admitting she would not be surprised to be snubbed from the event.
“I think I would give it a five (out of 10),” Siniakova said when rating her chances of playing. “I mean I wouldn’t be surprised if I won’t get it actually, so yeah I just keep it like this.”
The US Open mixed doubles event will feature 16 teams this year, with Holger Rune revealing the entry list closed at the end of June.
Despite being unclear of her participation status, Siniakova suggested she could have a partner lined up, but did not want to reveal who that would be.
“Oh I’m going to keep it a secret,” added Siniakova. “I don’t want any troubles you know!”
US Open mixed doubles initial lineup
The US Open certainly got the stronger lineup they were hoping for, with all but two of the top 10 singles players on both the ATP and WTA Tours appearing in the initial list.
One of the two missing from this lineup is Coco Gauff, who has explained why she is not playing the event.
Some players including Alcaraz and Raducanu will be making their Grand Slam doubles debut, while defending champions Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani are the only doubles specialist pair appearing in this lineup.
It remains unclear how much this lineup will change before the US Open mixed doubles event comes around.
The US Open mixed doubles tournament is scheduled to take place on August 19-20.