US Open mixed doubles champions lead criticism of revamped event
Last year’s US Open mixed doubles champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori labelled the revamped competition as a “profound injustice” following the announcement of the new format in February.
Errani went further in an interview with the Associated Press before the tournament, calling the changes to the mixed doubles event “nonsense” and “sad”.
Errani and Vavassori will start to defend their title when they take on Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina, two singles stars, in their first-round match later this afternoon.
Errani argued: “It would be like if, at the Olympics, they didn’t let the actual high jumpers participate, and instead had basketball players compete in the high jump because it’s more ‘interesting.’
“You can’t have a Grand Slam doubles (trophy) and not let doubles players take part. … You’re excluding them from their sport. It’s dishonest.”
Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, the 2024 mixed doubles champions, described the new-look event as a ‘great injustice’ in February (Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood19 August 2025 10:55
Why is revamped US Open mixed doubles so controversial?
It has attracted some of the top singles players in the world and will offer $1m to the winning pair – but not everyone is happy with the new-look US Open mixed doubles tournament, particularly the doubles specialists who have been forced to make way for the star teams.
Jamie Braidwood19 August 2025 10:35
Carlos Alcaraz confirms he plans to play US Open mixed doubles but will ‘sleep late’
Carlos Alcaraz was clearly not happy with the scheduling of the Cincinnati Open final and the start of the US Open mixed doubles, but confirmed he will be ready to partner Emma Raducanu in their opening match today.
The Spaniard said he is “going to sleep late” today but “I’ll try to put my best tennis to help Emma get the win”.
Jamie Braidwood19 August 2025 10:15
Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz share plane to New York ahead of mixed doubles
Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz, the Cincinnati Open champions, shared a plane to New York on Monday evening ahead of the start of the US Open doubles tournament later today.
In a video posted by the Cincinnati Open, Swiatek and Alcaraz thanked the tournament organisers as they prepared to take off and make the short journey to New York. It did not appear as if Jannik Sinner was with them.
Jamie Braidwood19 August 2025 09:55
Iga Swiatek sends ominous message to US Open rivals after securing Cincinnati title
Iga Swiatek underlined her status as potentially the favourite going into the US Open after defeating Jasmine Paolini to win the Cincinnati Open women’s title last night.
The Wimbledon champion intends to play in the US Open mixed doubles despite having an even shorter turnaround time than Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, with the women’s final taking place after the men’s in Cincinnati yesterday.
Jamie Braidwood19 August 2025 09:35
Jannik Sinner drops big clue around potential involvement in US Open mixed doubles
Jannik Sinner was not specifically asked whether he would skip the US Open mixed doubles after pulling out of the Cincinnati Open final with illness, but the 24-year-old did say that he now “a couple of days of recovery” before the start of his US Open singles defence latest this week.
“I love Grand Slams a lot. This is the main, main tournaments for my season and for my career,” Sinner said.
“So US Open is going to be tough tournament, but in the same time, I’m looking forward to it. If I’m ready, physically and mentally, I will be ready to push.
“So as I said, now a couple of days of recovery, and then we get again back to work, and hopefully we’ll be ready. So for sure, the main goal here in the US.”
(Getty)
Jamie Braidwood19 August 2025 09:18
Jannik Sinner provides concerning update after sudden Cincinnati Open final retirement
Sinner was clearly out of sorts on a hot day in Ohio and lost his serve three times before pulling out from the match. The 24-year-old apologised to the crowd and confirmed he started feeling ill the day before, with his condition worsening on the day of the final.
Jamie Braidwood19 August 2025 09:13
Alcaraz sends message to Sinner on social media
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have a budding rivalry and yesterday’s Cincinnati Open final was set to be the latest in a series of epic encounters between the two.
That was not to be and Alcaraz sent a message to Sinner on X after his withdrawal.
It read: “I’m so sorry for Jannik!
“Nobody likes to win because their opponent retires, especially in a final like this. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
“Very happy with my week in Cincinnati and feeling ready for the US Open!”
Mike Jones19 August 2025 09:11
Sinner expected to withdraw from US Open mixed doubles
The main news this morning concerns men’s world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
He faced Carlos Alcaraz in the Cincinnati Open final yesterday and had to withdraw with the opening set 5-0 in Alcaraz’s favour due to illness.
He knew he wasn’t feeling good before the match but wanted to attempt to play before realising he could not compete in such a state.
Sinner is scheduled on court later today alongside partner Katerina Siniakova but is seems likely he will pull out of the mixed doubles as well.
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Jannik Sinner (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mike Jones19 August 2025 09:08
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the US Open where we begin with the controversial mixed doubles event set to precede the Grand Slam and be played over the next couple of days.
Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz partner each other in a blockbuster pairing with Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula are the No.1 seeds.
Jannik Sinner is scheduled to feature alongside Katerina Siniakova but this event comes less than 24 hours after he withdrew from the Cincinnati Open final with illness and it is doubtful he will have recovered in time.
We’ll have all the latest news and build-up throughout the day ahead of the event kicking off around 4pm BST this afternoon.
Mike Jones19 August 2025 09:01