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With top stars, unique format, can US Open Doubles Championship revolutionise doubles tennis?
You, me, and most tennis fans have something in common. Yes, we are all still reminiscing about the era when Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray engaged in monumental rivalries, producing classics on a weekly basis. That's one similarity, but there's something else as well that binds all of us enthusiasts.
Are you ready for the big reveal? Here it is – we all closely follow the action and results in the singles category but often have little knowledge of the doubles category, especially mixed doubles. This is not a random assumption, it's a conclusion drawn from facts backed by numbers.
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According to a 2024 survey by Tennis Tribe, a leading resource for doubles tennis information, 31 per cent of avid tennis fans prefer watching singles matches, 39 per cent enjoy singles and doubles equally, 19 per cent favor doubles over singles, and 11 per cent prefer mixed doubles. Additionally, The Sun reported that Wimbledon adjusted its singles final start time from 2 pm to 4 pm to improve scheduling for doubles finals and boost audience retention.
Despite this, doubles matches struggle to retain viewership compared to singles. This indicates that singles matches generate the most excitement and keep tennis prominent globally, while mixed doubles attract a smaller audience.
But why is it the case? Why does the mixed doubles category lack interest and viewership as compared to singles? According to a widely accepted assertion, it is because the popular singles players usually don't play doubles regularly, reducing their appeal to casual viewers.
If you are still not convinced and see yourself as the minority, then tell me who won the mixed doubles title at the Australian Open 2025? Do not Google it, I'll tell you the answer in a few seconds. However, before that, let me serve you with some vital information.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) acknowledges the value of doubles and wants to enhance its reach. Therefore, it has introduced a Mixed Doubles Championship for 2025. Unlike the traditional Grand Slam format, where mixed doubles events run concurrently with singles and other doubles categories, the US Open will host its Mixed Doubles Championship before the singles events on August 19–20 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.
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The US Open's decision to introduce the Mixed Doubles Championship in 2025 is driven by strategic goals to enhance the tournament's appeal and global reach. Here are several key objectives that likely contributed to the creation of this championship.
Attracting top singles players
By scheduling the Mixed Doubles Championship during the Fan Week (August 19-20, before the main singles draw), the US Open avoids date collision with singles matches. This allows top ATP and WTA stars, who often skip doubles to focus on singles, to participate without compromising their singles performance. Moreover, the $1 million prize for winners would certainly act as an impetus that could lure them.
Increasing fan engagement
The USTA might be aiming to kill two birds with the same stone by showcasing star-studded teams, such as Emma Raducanu with Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic with Olga Danilovic, in a high-profile format. This will create intrigue among the existing fans as well as attract the attention of potential fans.
The US Open Mixed Doubles Championship draw is set! pic.twitter.com/FntRmId9R0 — US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 17, 2025
Innovative format for broader appeal
The new format, the best-of-three sets to four games (six for the final), no-ad scoring, and a 10-point tiebreak instead of a third set creates fast-paced, entertaining matches. This fresh structure aims to draw casual fans and inspire recreational players, as mixed doubles mirrors how many amateurs play.
Elevating mixed doubles' prestige
Historically, mixed doubles has been overshadowed by singles and other doubles events. By giving it a dedicated spotlight during Fan Week, the USTA seeks to elevate its status as a legitimate Grand Slam title, emphasising tennis' unique gender-equal competition.
While there is great excitement about the initiative of the USTA, there are also individuals who are sceptical about the changes. The move has sparked criticism from doubles specialists like Sara Errani, Andrea Vavassori, and Paul McNamee, who argue it devalues the event by prioritising singles players and reducing the field to 16 teams (eight based on singles rankings, eight wild cards). They see it as a 'pseudo-exhibition' that sidelines traditional doubles players, potentially undermining the competition's authenticity.
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Doubles specialists such as Italy's Andrea Vavassori have voiced their concerns regarding the US Open's Mixed Doubles Championship. Reuters
Despite the controversy, USTA CEO Lew Sherr emphasises that the changes aim to create a 'blockbuster' event that grows the sport's global appeal while maintaining its competitive integrity.
Thus, the knowers of the game will have varied views about the Mixed Doubles Championship, but in the end, it is the fans who will decide whether the initiative will be judged as a success or not. So, what do you think, is this enough for a regular tennis fan like you to forget everything and look forward to the mixed doubles' action? Your answer to this and action may determine the future of the tournament.
Lastly, if you have come this long to know won the mixed doubles title at the Australian Open 2025, it was Olivia Gadecki and John Peers who defeated Kimberly Birrell and John-Patrick Smith in the final, 3–6, 6–4, [10–6] to win the mixed doubles tennis title at the 2025 Australian Open.
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