The US Open has introduced a radical new format for its mixed doubles event in 2025, which has received mixed reviews.
Next month, 16 teams will compete for the US Open mixed doubles title in a unique tournament format.
Matches will consist of four-game, best-of-three sets, with no-AD scoring, and a ten-point tiebreak in lieu of a third set.
The tournament will be played across two days, and the winner of the event will receive a $1 million prize.
All-star teams such as Emma Raducanu/Carlos Alcaraz and Nick Kyrgios/Naomi Osaka are expected to fill the line-up, largely in place of the more-established mixed doubles teams.
Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images for LTA
2024 US Open mixed doubles champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori complained about the changes, as they weren’t guaranteed a place in the 2025 field, calling the decision a ‘profound injustice’.
Others have been more positive, as top-ten players didn’t hesitate to sign up, many of whom are set to make their first venture into Grand Slam mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows.
The US Open has been the first tournament to make a change to its mixed doubles event, but does the Australian Open plan on following suit?
The Australian Open ‘don’t have any plans’ to change the mixed doubles format
During the latest episode of ‘The Tennis’, host Brie Stewart shared what she’s heard about the future of the mixed doubles event at the Australian Open.
“What we have heard is that we do not have any plans to change how mixed doubles has always traditionally been played,” she said.
“We have too much on [before the draw starts], but we don’t see any change in our doubles.
“Craig [Tiley] has come out and said he is happy with how it’s always been done.”
Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images
The Australian Open mixed doubles title has been won by several of the discipline’s greatest players over recent years, many of whom will be glad to hear their spot in the 2026 competition is safe.
Last ten Australian Open mixed doubles champions
- 2025 – John Peers/Olivia Gadecki
- 2024 – Jan Zielinski/Hsieh Su-Wei
- 2023 – Rafael Matos/Luisa Stefani
- 2022 – Ivan Dodig/Kristina Mladenovic
- 2021 – Rajeev Ram/Barbora Krejcikova
- 2020 – Nikola Mektic/Barbora Krejcikova
- 2019 – Rajeev Ram/Barbora Krejcikova
- 2018 – Mate Pavic/Gabriela Dabrowski
- 2017 – Juan Sebastian Cabal/Abigail Spears
- 2016 – Bruno Soares/Elena Vesnina
Only time will tell if any of the above can win in 2026, but that will likely be their next shot at Grand Slam glory, as just one of those teams has entered into the 2025 US Open draw.
Established mixed doubles players entering the US Open draw
25 teams have submitted their entry into the draw for the US Open mixed doubles tournament next month, but very few have experience playing the discipline.
Teams entered for the 2025 US Open mixed doubles tournament
The four unranked teams and the defending champions Errani and Vavassori have more mixed doubles experience than the rest of the field combined, although it’s unlikely they will all receive wildcards into the tournament.
In an attempt to grow the game, the US Open are expected to invite the likes of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, and Nick Kyrgios to play, ahead of the lesser-known mixed doubles athletes.
Only time will tell who will join the 16-team field in New York, but it will certainly be worth tuning in for when the tournament begins on Tuesday, August 19.