The 2025 US Open mixed doubles tournament kicked off with a bang on August 19 in New York, shining a spotlight on tennis’s biggest names as they teamed up in a revamped format that’s already got fans buzzing. For the first time, the mixed doubles event is being staged on the iconic Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadium courts, and the excitement is palpable as 16 star-studded pairs battle for a record $1 million champion’s prize.
This year’s draw reads like a who’s who of tennis royalty. Five-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz teamed up with 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, forming a wildcard duo that instantly drew the attention of fans and pundits alike. Their opening round clash was set against the tournament’s top seeds: British No. 1 Jack Draper and American ace Jessica Pegula. The anticipation was sky-high for this matchup, scheduled third on Arthur Ashe and drawing a crowd that could rival any singles final.
“The fan favorite duo of Alcaraz and Raducanu exit the court giving the spectators some dramatic points in the match,” reported The Athletic, as the pair fought valiantly but ultimately fell to Draper and Pegula in straight sets, 4-2, 4-2. The match was anything but straightforward, with Raducanu and Alcaraz saving multiple match points and thrilling the audience with gutsy shot-making and infectious enthusiasm. At one point, Raducanu’s ace and Alcaraz’s jaw-dropping down-the-line winner had the crowd roaring, and even after their defeat, the pair left the court amid cheers and plenty of smiles.
“Emma Raducanu is grinning ear to ear as Carlos Alcaraz wins the first game of the second set with a drop shot, raising her arm straight into the air in celebration. The two share a laugh and a high five,” The Athletic described, capturing the lighter, more playful spirit that the new mixed doubles format seems to have inspired among top singles stars.
The 2025 edition marks a significant makeover for mixed doubles at the US Open. The event now features a condensed, action-packed format: matches are best-of-three sets, but each set is played to four games with sudden death deuce and a tiebreak at 4-4. If a match goes to a third set, it’s a 10-point tiebreaker, adding even more drama and unpredictability. Only the final will revert to the traditional six-game set format. This change, while controversial among some purists, has allowed more singles players to participate and has resulted in a draw packed with world-class talent.
“You can see Jessica Pegula’s strategy in that game. Attack Emma Raducanu at the net, who isn’t as comfortable with her volleys. It pays off as Raducanu hits back-to-back errors at the net. Pegula and Jack Draper go up a break and are two games away from advancing in this match,” The Athletic noted, highlighting the tactical chess match that unfolded on court.
Elsewhere, the action was just as fierce. Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton, another electrifying team, were leading Amanda Anisimova and Holger Rune in a match brimming with big serves and net-rushing theatrics. Townsend’s doubles experience shone through, as she anticipated volleys and set up points with aplomb. “Townsend and Shelton are just one game away from a win as Anisimova serves ...” the live updates teased, as the crowd’s energy crackled through the stadium.
On the broadcast side, fans in the UK could catch all the mixed doubles drama live on Sky Sports Tennis, while US viewers tuned in via ESPN+ and ESPNEWS. The tournament’s accessibility reflects the organizers’ push to elevate mixed doubles to a marquee event, and the move appears to be paying off with packed stands and lively atmospheres.
The draw itself is a testament to the depth and diversity of talent on display. Eight teams earned direct entry based on singles rankings, including Iga Swiatek/Casper Ruud, Elena Rybakina/Taylor Fritz, Amanda Anisimova/Holger Rune, Belinda Bencic/Alexander Zverev, Mirra Andreeva/Daniil Medvedev, Madison Keys/Frances Tiafoe, and Karolina Muchova/Andrey Rublev. The wildcard selections featured heavy hitters and fan favorites such as Olga Danilovic/Novak Djokovic, Emma Raducanu/Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Townsend/Ben Shelton, Venus Williams/Reilly Opelka, Sara Errani/Andrea Vavassori (the defending champions), Naomi Osaka/Gael Monfils, and Caty McNally/Lorenzo Musetti.
Notably absent from the action were Jannik Sinner and Katerina Siniakova, who withdrew following Sinner’s retirement from the Cincinnati Open final due to illness just a day prior to the US Open’s start. Their absence opened the door for other teams to make deep runs, and already, some of the more experienced doubles pairings—like Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, as well as Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori—have punched their tickets to the semifinals.
The stakes are undeniably high, with a $1 million prize awaiting the champions—an $800,000 increase from last year’s purse. The runner-up team stands to earn $400,000, while semifinalists and quarterfinalists take home $200,000 and $100,000 per team, respectively. Even teams eliminated in the round of 16 pocket a respectable $20,000, making this one of the most lucrative mixed doubles events in tennis history.
“Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper are into the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open mixed doubles championship, defeating Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu in straight sets. A terrific final game ends with a deciding point. Pegula finds her spot on the serve opening up the court for Draper, who unleashes a deep forehand winner to secure the match,” The Athletic reported, underlining the high level of play and the razor-thin margins that have characterized this year’s matches.
As the tournament moves into the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, all eyes remain fixed on the remaining contenders. Olga Danilovic and Novak Djokovic are slated to face Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev next, while Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison will square off against Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev. With Iga Swiatek/Casper Ruud and Sara Errani/Andrea Vavassori already through to the semifinals, the race for the title—and that record prize—has never looked more competitive.
For fans, this new-look US Open mixed doubles event is proving to be a can’t-miss spectacle. The blend of singles superstars, doubles specialists, and a format designed for drama is delivering exactly what organizers hoped: world-class tennis, big personalities, and plenty of moments to remember. The championship match is set for Wednesday, August 20, at 7 p.m. on Arthur Ashe Stadium, and if the opening rounds are any indication, it’s going to be a showdown for the ages.
With the first day’s fireworks now in the books and the field narrowing, the 2025 US Open mixed doubles tournament is living up to the hype—and then some. Stay tuned as the action continues to unfold in New York.
