As the 2025 US Open draws near, excitement is building around the revamped mixed doubles tournament set for August 19-20. The U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) has unveiled a star-studded field featuring 16 elite teams, blending top-ranked singles players with seasoned doubles champions. Among the most talked-about entries is the legendary Venus Williams, who, at 45, is making a remarkable comeback alongside towering American Reilly Opelka via a wild-card entry.
Williams’ return to competitive tennis has captivated fans worldwide. After more than a year away from the tour, she stepped back onto the court during the week of July 21 at the D.C. Open in Washington, clinching one match each in singles and doubles. Her last competitive appearance before that was at the Miami Open in March 2024. With seven Grand Slam singles titles, 14 women’s doubles titles — all alongside her sister Serena — and two mixed doubles Grand Slam crowns, Williams' presence adds a rich legacy to the tournament.
Her partner, Reilly Opelka, is no stranger to the spotlight either. The 27-year-old American, standing an imposing 6-foot-11 (2.11 meters), was once ranked inside the ATP top 20. However, injuries sidelined him for nearly two full seasons, and he is currently ranked No. 74. Pairing Williams’ experience and Opelka’s power promises an intriguing dynamic that fans will be eager to witness.
The USTA’s decision to revamp the mixed doubles format has sparked both enthusiasm and debate. Traditionally a niche event featuring doubles specialists, this year’s tournament aims to spotlight some of tennis’s biggest names by increasing prize money to a $1 million top prize and shifting the competition to the week before the singles events commence. Matches will be played in a fast-paced format — first-to-four-game sets with no-ad scoring — to heighten entertainment value and attract viewership.
Alongside Williams and Opelka, the USTA announced 14 other teams on July 29, with two more wild-card pairs to be revealed soon. Eight duos earned direct entry based on their combined current singles rankings, while six received wild cards. The direct entrants include a mix of rising stars and established talent: No. 11 Emma Navarro pairs with World No. 1 Jannik Sinner; No. 10 Paula Badosa teams up with No. 5 Jack Draper; No. 3 Iga Swiatek partners with No. 13 Casper Ruud; and No. 12 Elena Rybakina joins forces with No. 4 Taylor Fritz. Other direct entries feature No. 7 Amanda Anisimova with No. 9 Holger Rune, Belinda Bencic with No. 3 Alexander Zverev, No. 4 Jessica Pegula alongside No. 15 Tommy Paul, and No. 5 Mirra Andreeva with No. 14 Daniil Medvedev.
Wild-card entries showcase an equally dazzling roster. British sensation Emma Raducanu teams with the Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz, both 22 and recent Grand Slam champions in their own right. Their partnership has sparked off-court speculation, but Raducanu has maintained they are “just good friends.” This duo is expected to bring youthful energy and aggressive play to the court.
Other notable wild cards include No. 8 Madison Keys paired with No. 12 Frances Tiafoe, the Serbian prodigy Novak Djokovic with Olga Danilovic, and Taylor Townsend — who just ascended to No. 1 in women’s doubles — alongside No. 7 Ben Shelton. The reigning US Open mixed doubles champions, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, also received a wild-card entry, aiming to defend their title in what promises to be a fiercely competitive field.
The USTA’s bold move to increase the event’s profile has not been without criticism. Some doubles specialists and traditionalists voiced concerns that the new format and star-focused lineup could overshadow dedicated doubles players. Errani and Vavassori described it as a “pseudo-exhibition focused only on entertainment and show,” reflecting a broader debate about the balance between sport and spectacle.
Matches will be hosted in the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium, with the final set to be a best-of-three match to six games, featuring no-ad scoring and tiebreakers at six-all, including a 10-point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set. This structure aims to keep matches thrilling and concise, ensuring high stakes and fast action for fans both in the stands and watching worldwide.
Several high-profile partnerships hoping to join the tournament have yet to be confirmed. These include couples like Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur, who are engaged, as well as Jasmine Paolini and Lorenzo Musetti, Aryna Sabalenka and Grigor Dimitrov, Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios, and Karolina Muchova and Andrey Rublev. Their potential inclusion would add further star power and storyline intrigue.
Britain’s Jack Draper, who is paired with Paula Badosa, is another player to watch. Draper recently suffered an early exit at Wimbledon but has shown resilience and promise. Meanwhile, the American duo of Jessica Pegula and Tommy Paul will have the home crowd advantage, adding to the tournament’s appeal.
Andy Murray’s former coach, Miles Maclagan, expressed excitement about the revamped format and highlighted the strength of certain teams. Speaking on Sky Sports Tennis, he noted, “I keep going back to Shelton and Townsend. She's just got to No 1 in the doubles. That's not a team you feel good about breaking, is it? They'll be tough to stop.” He also praised the singles prowess of players like Sinner and Alcaraz, who, despite limited doubles experience, bring exceptional shot-making and serving skills.
Emma Raducanu’s recent doubles success, including a semi-final appearance in Washington alongside Rybakina, positions her and Alcaraz as a formidable pair. Tennis analyst Naomi Cavaday remarked, “Raducanu reached the semi-finals of the doubles in Washington alongside Rybakina, so watch out for Raducanu and Alcaraz.”
As the tournament approaches, attention will also turn to whether Venus Williams will secure a wild-card entry for the singles event, with announcements expected during the week of August 11. Her ongoing comeback journey adds a compelling narrative to the 2025 US Open, reminding fans of her enduring impact on the sport.
With the revamped format, star-studded lineups, and increased prize money, the 2025 US Open mixed doubles tournament is set to be a thrilling prelude to the main event. Fans can look forward to a blend of seasoned champions and rising stars battling it out on the grand stage, all while embracing a fresh, fast-paced style designed to captivate a new generation of tennis enthusiasts.
