“We see it as a profound injustice, that disrespect[s] an entire category of players,” the reigning US Open mixed doubles champions, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori said as the US Open announced major changes to the mixed doubles event for this year. The event will take place a week prior to the start of the tournament, with only 16 teams in the fray. Additionally, eight teams will earn an entry from their combined singles ranking while the other eight pairs will be wildcards. As this change caused a huge uproar in the tennis circle, former American star, Jonny Levine echoed Taylor Fritz and backed the new format.
Earlier today, a new episode of Andy Zodin’s Kick Serve Radio podcast dropped where Levine talked about the new mixed doubles format at the US Open. He said, “I think it is a complete no-lose proposition.”
Further, he went on to add, “Another great point in that is the scheduling perspective, to get the mixed doubles out of the way, and if there’s a rain delay or you got these mixed doubles matches to deal with when the focus is really on the singles, I don’t know who came up with this but it’s got a really, really promising outlook in my book.”
Aug 26, 2024; Flushing, NY, USA; Taylor Fritz (USA) celebrates after match point against Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG)(not pictured) in a men’s singles match on day one of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Meanwhile, Taylor Fritz was also one of the few athletes who backed this new mixed doubles format. Interestingly, he, along with Jessica Pegula, will participate in this event as it takes place a week before the singles competition. Fritz said, “At the end of the day, the truth of the matter was mixed doubles, as it was, isn’t adding that much to the Slams. It’s not creating a lot of excitement. They’re not filling up stadiums and stuff…People will be more excited to watch it with the top singles players playing together.”
Amid this controversy, former Australian Open tournament director, Paul McNamee had other ideas. He has seen the sport closely and shared his honest opinion on this massive change.
Paul McNamee counters the views of Taylor Fritz
Besides being the tournament director of the Australian Open in the past, McNamee is also a five-time Grand Slam doubles champion and knows the format of mixed doubles well. As a result, he was unhappy with mixed doubles being reduced to just 16 pairs and devoid of doubles specialists.
Taking to X, McNamee said, “Sets to 4 games in a Grand Slam? 16 teams with 8 based on singles rankings and 8 wildcards. I’m sorry, but the US Open now will not produce a bona fide mixed doubles winner. Devalued from a Grand Slam title to an exo. Let’s just say I’m in shock.”
However, the new format will have many singles specialists play the mixed doubles format and the likes of Pegula and Fritz are already readying themselves to take part in this event. While the tournament authorities cited the changes to make the format more exciting, it remains to be seen if the new format is taken down well by the fans.
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