U.S. Open’s new mixed doubles format has its critics

Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori react after defeating Taylor Townsend and Donald Young in the mixed doubles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in New York.

Grand Slam singles champions such as Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys will be playing for a little extra money — OK, a lot of extra money, by any standard: US$1-million to the winning duo — and trying to get their hands on a trophy in the U.S. Open’s overhauled mixed doubles tournament.

The best of the best at doubles, meanwhile, are not so excited about what one of last year’s mixed champions in New York, Sara Errani, labeled “sad” and “nonsense” in an interview with The Associated Press. She and Andrea Vavassori, who’ll be defending their title, are the only true doubles