The tennis world is buzzing with anticipation as the US Open prepares to launch its newly reimagined mixed doubles event, set to unfold on August 19 and 20, 2025, at the iconic Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. This fresh spin on a classic format is already making waves—not just for the star-studded lineup it promises, but also for the controversy and tough decisions it’s sparked behind the scenes.
When organizers released the official list of entrants, tennis fans were treated to a veritable parade of the sport’s elite. On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva, Emma Raducanu, and Jasmine Paolini headline a field that reads like a who’s who of WTA talent. The men’s draw is equally dazzling, featuring Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev. Add in four-time Olympic gold medallist Venus Williams—who’s teaming up with Reilly Opelka for a shot at the only Grand Slam final she’s yet to reach—and you’ve got a lineup that’s practically dripping with star power.
Yet, amid all this excitement, one glaring omission has set tongues wagging: Coco Gauff, reigning French Open champion and a regular force in women’s doubles, will not be taking the court in this year’s mixed doubles draw. For many, her absence is a surprising twist—especially given her recent Grand Slam success and her popularity with American fans.
The revamped event itself is a major talking point. Fourteen teams have been announced so far, with eight direct entries and six wild card invites. Organizers have promised that two more teams will be announced closer to the event, keeping fans guessing about potential last-minute surprises. The direct entry teams are packed with intrigue: Emma Navarro and Jannik Sinner, Paula Badosa and Jack Draper, Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, Amanda Anisimova and Holger Rune, Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev, Jessica Pegula and Tommy Paul, and Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev. The wild card duos are just as eye-catching, with Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz forming a marketing dream team, and other pairs including Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe, Olga Danilovic and Novak Djokovic, Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, and the aforementioned Williams-Opelka partnership.
With a $1 million prize on the line, the stakes are sky-high. But not everyone is thrilled with how the new format has been rolled out. Doubles specialists have voiced their frustration, arguing that the influx of high-profile singles players—often via wild card invitations—has "robbed" them of valuable income and opportunity. Jessica Pegula, who will partner with Tommy Paul, acknowledged the tension, saying, "I’m honoured that they asked me to play. It’s going to be great, it’s going to be fun and the fans will really enjoy it. At the same time, how they went about it, I didn’t think was really great… You guys went rogue and changed the format and didn’t tell anybody. You just did it. Did you talk to the players? Did you get their input?"
As for Coco Gauff, her decision not to participate comes down to a classic case of scheduling overload. With the Cincinnati Open WTA 1000 final set for Monday, August 18—just one day before the mixed doubles event kicks off in New York—Gauff found herself caught in a logistical squeeze. "For me, it was just because I know the free week of the US Open is already packed for me, for sponsor things, and it was just like a whole other thing. And I’m very competitive; if I were to lose, I would not be happy... So, I didn’t want to waste mental energy on that," she explained. The American star went on to add, "Then on top of the sponsor stuff, the pre-week, and then knowing that this finished on Monday and potentially having to play on Tuesday… I just knew it wasn’t going to work out for me, scheduling-wise. I plan my sponsor weeks literally like a year out, sometimes a year and a half out. And when this whole thing was coming up, I was already booked and busy."
Despite stepping away from the mixed doubles spotlight this year, Gauff remains upbeat about the event’s potential. "I think it’s cool, and I think it’s going to be an exciting two days, and not knocking it off for the future," she said, leaving the door open for a possible appearance down the road. Her decision shines a light on the razor-fine balancing act that top players must perform—juggling competitive ambitions, sponsor obligations, and the relentless demands of the tennis calendar.
Gauff’s current focus is firmly on her singles campaign in Ohio. On August 15, she dispatched Xinyu Wang 6-3, 6-2 in the second round of the Cincinnati Open. Luck was on her side in the third round, as she advanced without hitting a ball thanks to Dayana Yastremska’s withdrawal due to illness. That walkover has set up a round of 16 clash with Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti, who earned her spot by defeating Jelena Ostapenko 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. As Gauff prepares for her next challenge, her eyes are fixed on a deep run in Cincinnati and, beyond that, another shot at Grand Slam glory.
Meanwhile, the US Open mixed doubles event is shaping up to be a showcase of both established legends and rising stars. Venus Williams, chasing the elusive Grand Slam final that has so far escaped her, will undoubtedly draw crowds alongside Reilly Opelka. The presence of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Iga Swiatek—each a household name in their own right—guarantees that the event will have no shortage of drama and high-quality tennis.
With two team slots still to be filled and the tennis world abuzz with speculation, fans can expect more surprises as the tournament draws near. Whether the new format will win over traditionalists or continue to spark debate among players and pundits alike remains to be seen. What’s certain is that the 2025 US Open mixed doubles championship is set to deliver a spectacle—one that blends the star power of singles champions with the unique dynamics of mixed doubles competition.
As the countdown to August 19 begins, all eyes are on New York. Will the new format live up to the hype? Will doubles specialists find their place amid the glitz and glamour? And, perhaps most tantalizingly, which duo will emerge with the $1 million prize? For now, the field is set, the storylines are swirling, and the stage is ready for another unforgettable chapter in US Open history.
