Defending Champions Retain US Open Mixed Doubles Amid Format Criticism

The 2025 US Open mixed doubles tournament featured a revamped format designed to attract top singles players and increase exposure for doubles tennis, offering a $1 million prize—the largest in its history. Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who received a wildcard entry, successfully retained their title by defeating Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in a closely contested final, underscoring the skill and resilience of doubles specialists. Despite praise from players like Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper for the fast-paced, shortened matches, the new format sparked controversy among traditional doubles players who felt marginalized by the reduced draw and scheduling changes. Organizers moved the event to run during Fan Week with a compressed schedule and shortened scoring system, aiming to boost attendance and visibility, which resulted in strong fan engagement and celebrity appearances. Errani and Vavassori publicly criticized the profit-driven decisions behind the format changes, framing their victory as a statement for the doubles community excluded from the event. Overall, the revamped mixed doubles event garnered mixed reactions but succeeded in elevating the profile of doubles tennis at the US Open.