The 2025 U.S. Open has arrived in New York City, and with it comes a whirlwind of excitement, controversy, and star power—especially in the newly reimagined mixed doubles tournament. As tennis fans from around the world descend on the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens, all eyes are on a mixed doubles event that promises to shake up tradition with its bold new format and dazzling lineup.
Fan Week kicked off Monday, August 18, 2025, transforming the legendary grounds into a festival of tennis and entertainment. While qualifying matches and singles practice rounds filled all 22 courts, the real buzz centered around the mixed doubles draw, which was finalized just a day before the event's start. The tournament’s organizers have moved the mixed doubles to center stage—literally—by hosting all matches exclusively on Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadiums, a first in U.S. Open history.
This year, the mixed doubles championship features a 16-team field packed with global superstars and fresh pairings. The direct entries include Jessica Pegula & Jack Draper, 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. Wild cards have added even more intrigue, with duos like Novak Djokovic & Olga Danilovic, Naomi Osaka & Gael Monfils, Emma Raducanu & Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Townsend & Ben Shelton, Venus Williams & Reilly Opelka, Sara Errani & Andrea Vavassori, Katerina Siniakova & Jannik Sinner, and Lorenzo Musetti & Caty McNally.
The drama began before the first serve. Withdrawals from Emma Navarro, Paula Badosa, and Tommy Paul forced last-minute changes to the draw. Jessica Pegula, initially not slated to play, joined Jack Draper, while Katerina Siniakova teamed up with Jannik Sinner after Navarro's withdrawal. Jasmine Paolini, scheduled to play with Lorenzo Musetti, pulled out after reaching the Cincinnati final, so Musetti paired with Caty McNally. These shakeups have only heightened the anticipation, with questions swirling over the participation of stars like Sinner, Alcaraz, and Swiatek after their deep runs in Cincinnati the previous week.
What’s really turning heads, though, is the tournament’s radical new format. For the first time, the entire mixed doubles event will be played over just two days—Tuesday, August 19, and Wednesday, August 20. The first and second rounds, as well as the semifinals, will be contested as best of three sets, but with only four games per set and a tie-break at 4-4. If a match reaches a third set, a 10-point tie-breaker will decide the outcome. The final, set for Wednesday night, extends to six games per set, with a tie-break at 6-6, but still relies on a 10-point tie-breaker for the third set.
The stakes? How about a record $1 million for the mixed doubles champions—by far the richest prize in the event’s history. This eye-popping sum, along with the compressed schedule and marquee names, has drawn both applause and outrage. While fans and sponsors are thrilled to see superstars like Djokovic, Osaka, Raducanu, and Alcaraz in the mix, many doubles specialists feel sidelined by what they see as a marketing-driven move.
“It’s a profound injustice,” said reigning mixed doubles champion Andrea Vavassori, echoing the frustrations of many in the doubles community. His partner, Sara Errani, added that the changes “reduce the event to an exhibition.” Wimbledon champions Sem Verbeek and Katerina Siniakova voiced concerns that the format puts traditional doubles players at a disadvantage, while French star Kristina Mladenovic called it a disrespect to the discipline. Former doubles world No. 1 Paul McNamee didn’t mince words, labeling the shortened sets an “exhibition” rather than a true championship.
Not all players are against the changes, though. Jessica Pegula, who now finds herself paired with Jack Draper, expressed support for the initiative but noted, “There should have been more player consultation.” Coco Gauff, on the other hand, opted out entirely, citing scheduling and mental fatigue. The split opinions reflect a broader tension in tennis between innovation and tradition—a tug-of-war that’s playing out in real time on the biggest stage in the U.S.
The first-round matchups read like a who’s who of tennis royalty and rising stars. Alcaraz and Raducanu, both past U.S. Open singles champions, face the No. 1-seeded team of Pegula and Draper. Sinner and Siniakova, wild card entrants, open against Alexander Zverev and Belinda Bencic. Other high-octane clashes include Novak Djokovic & Olga Danilovic versus Mirra Andreeva & Daniil Medvedev, and Iga Swiatek & Casper Ruud against Madison Keys & Frances Tiafoe. Defending champions Errani and Vavassori, notably the only traditional doubles team in the field, take on the formidable pairing of Elena Rybakina & Taylor Fritz.
The tournament’s condensed schedule means the action will be relentless. First and second rounds, plus the semifinals, all take place on Tuesday, August 19, beginning at 11:00 AM local time. The semifinals and final light up the stadiums on Wednesday night, August 20. For those watching from afar, the event is being broadcast on Star Sports Network and streamed live on JioHotstar, with additional coverage on ABC and ESPN for U.S. audiences.
Of course, the mixed doubles is just one highlight of a packed U.S. Open calendar. Week 2, starting Sunday, August 24, will see singles matches through the third round and doubles action running through Saturday, August 30. Week 3 brings the Round of 16, more doubles, and the start of boys’ and girls’ junior singles play. The singles quarterfinals begin Tuesday, September 2, leading up to the women’s semifinals on Thursday, September 4, and the men’s semifinals on Friday, September 5. The women’s final is set for Saturday, September 6, with the men’s final closing the tournament on Sunday, September 7.
As for the big names, Jannik Sinner enters as the defending men’s singles champion after his 2024 victory over Taylor Fritz, while Aryna Sabalenka returns as the reigning women’s singles winner, having defeated Jessica Pegula in straight sets last year. The singles winners will each take home an eye-watering $5 million, with finalists, semifinalists, and quarterfinalists also receiving record payouts.
With the first balls struck in the mixed doubles and the main draws just around the corner, the 2025 U.S. Open is already living up to its reputation as the season’s grand finale—full of surprises, debate, and unforgettable tennis. Whether the new look mixed doubles will win over its critics or remain a flashpoint for controversy, one thing’s for sure: the action is just getting started in Flushing Meadows.
