The US Open mixed doubles tournament has found itself at the center of a swirling controversy after Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur and his fiancée, British player Katie Boulter, were denied a wildcard entry for the 2025 edition. With the event set to kick off on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 (local time), the snub has sparked heated debate among fans and players, especially as the tournament’s format and selection criteria have undergone radical changes this year.
De Minaur, currently ranked world No. 8, made a heartfelt and very public plea to tournament organizers via social media, writing, “Katie and I would like to ask for a WC pretty, pretty please,” in hopes of securing a spot alongside Boulter. Despite his standing and the couple’s popularity, the request fell on deaf ears. The denial leaves de Minaur as the highest-ranked man not included in the lucrative mixed doubles draw, a fact that has left many scratching their heads, especially after a number of last-minute withdrawals opened up potential spots.
The US Open’s decision comes amid a slew of changes to the mixed doubles event, which has been revamped to prioritize singles-ranked players over traditional doubles specialists. The controversial move has resulted in a 16-team field where the top singles players have been given preference, and the prize money has been ramped up to a staggering $1.6 million for the winning pair. For comparison, last year’s prize pool was significantly lower, making this year’s competition one of the most lucrative in Grand Slam history for mixed doubles.
De Minaur and Boulter’s exclusion was especially surprising given their combined singles ranking of 53, which, while not enough for automatic qualification, seemed to make them strong candidates for one of the eight wildcard entries. Instead, American favorites such as Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka were granted wildcards, as were high-profile international pairings like Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic with Olga Danilovich. This perceived favoritism has not gone unnoticed among fans and commentators. Social media quickly lit up with frustration, with one user posting, “The USTA needs to rethink their mixed doubles exhibition … err, sorry, format. Why were De Minaur and Boulter not given at least a wildcard?” Another quipped, “Yeah okay, America let’s give washed-up athletes a go, but not tennis’ favourite couple smh.”
Adding to the drama, Australian compatriot Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the mixed doubles event due to a persistent knee injury, which he described as “cooked.” Kyrgios had been slated to team up with Naomi Osaka, but his ongoing injury woes—which have kept him largely sidelined for the past three years—forced him to pull out. Kyrgios’ absence was confirmed when the US Tennis Association released the official draw, and there’s now doubt over whether he’ll be able to compete in the singles draw at all. “Kyrgios has been troubled by injuries for three years and recently posted his knee was 'cooked',” noted one tournament update. The 30-year-old has not played a singles match since March 2025, and his future participation remains in question.
The draw itself has been a talking point, with Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper becoming the top seeds after both their original partners withdrew. Draper, currently world No. 5, was initially set to play with Paula Badosa, while Pegula, ranked No. 4 among women, was to partner with fellow American Tommy Paul. Their unexpected pairing is just one of many shakeups in a field that has been reshuffled several times due to injuries and withdrawals.
Other notable duos include Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, who are expected to draw significant attention, and French veteran Gael Monfils, who steps in for Kyrgios as Osaka’s partner. In a nod to experience, 45-year-old Venus Williams will compete alongside Reilly Opelka, adding a dash of star power to the draw. Eight wildcards have been handed out in total, with the remaining eight pairings selected based on combined singles rankings—a policy that has only fueled further debate about the event’s new direction.
The 2025 US Open mixed doubles tournament isn’t just controversial for its entry policies. The format itself has been overhauled, with matches now requiring only four games to win a set, no-advantage scoring (meaning four points wins a game), and 10-point match tiebreaks instead of a traditional third set. These changes aim to make matches faster and more appealing to fans, sponsors, and broadcasters, but not everyone is on board. Last year’s champions, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, have been particularly vocal critics. “It’s a pseudo-exhibition focused only on entertainment and show,” they remarked, voicing concerns that the new format would shut out true doubles players. Despite their misgivings, Errani and Vavassori have received a wildcard and will face the No. 2 seeds, Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, in their opening match.
Notably, the tournament’s attempt to boost visibility and excitement has met with mixed reviews. While the increased prize money and star-studded lineups are likely to attract more viewers, purists argue that the event is drifting away from its roots. The decision to prioritize singles players and the adoption of a faster, more television-friendly format have led to accusations that the mixed doubles has become more of an exhibition than a serious competition. “The qualification policy is just one reason why the event, designed to attract attention from fans, sponsors, television and social media, is controversial,” one report observed.
As the event gets underway, all eyes will be on the new pairings and the impact of the rule changes. Will the new format deliver the excitement organizers are hoping for, or will it alienate the sport’s traditionalists? And could further withdrawals shake up the draw yet again? For de Minaur and Boulter, the disappointment is palpable, but the debate their snub has sparked is far from over. With prize money at a record high and the spotlight shining brighter than ever, the 2025 US Open mixed doubles is already making headlines before a single ball has been struck.
For now, the revamped tournament is set to proceed, promising drama both on and off the court. Whether the changes will prove a masterstroke or a misstep remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: the eyes of the tennis world are firmly fixed on Flushing Meadows as the action unfolds.
