A few hours after Taylor Fritz\u2019s third\u2011round match at the Cincinnati Open, the theme of his post-match press conference shifted from his tough victory against Lorenzo Sonego to the looming US Open mixed doubles tournament. The first question posed to him on this subject was carefully prefaced with the acknowledgment that mixed doubles was probably not his priority in the middle of one of the biggest tournaments in the world. As a grin spread across his face, Fritz interjected: \u201cIt is a priority.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fritz had been asked whether he had any sympathy for the frustrated doubles specialists who had been brushed aside to make room for the transformation of this event. From his perspective, the right players were in the draw. \u201cI\u2019ve seen a lot of people calling it like an exhibition, or it doesn\u2019t count,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this is the strongest mixed doubles field you\u2019re going to see at a grand slam. If the mixed doubles teams that are in come in and win the event, then I\u2019ll eat my words and say I\u2019m wrong, but I think the level is going to be really high.\u201d<\/p>\n
After six months of anticipation, the revamped US Open mixed\u2011doubles tournament is finally here.<\/p>\n
Usually the domain of doubles specialists with the exception of the very occasional superstar pairing, mixed doubles rarely generates much fanfare and at the grand slams it has come to represent more opportunities for trophies and prize money for doubles specialists.<\/p>\n
While the event usually runs at the same time as the rest of the grand slam main draws, this year it will be held in the week leading up to the start of the singles main draw.<\/p>\n
Sixteen teams will compete in a knockout draw across Tuesday and Wednesday. The first three rounds will be decided in abbreviated four\u2011game sets while the final will be determined in standard six-game sets. The winners will take home $1m between them, an $800,000 increase on last year. In an era where the top players have largely spurned doubles because of the increased physical demands of singles competition, the ultimate aim of the event is to attract the stars.<\/p>\n
Reigning champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are the only doubles specialists in the draw. Photograph: Julia Nikhinson\/AP<\/p>\n
For that reason, officials at the United States Tennis Association (USTA) already feel like the glittering player field and the interest it has generated has justified the move. The partnership between Carlos Alcaraz<\/a> and Emma Raducanu has created countless headlines, but other distinguished entrants include Novak Djokovic and his compatriot Olga Danilovic, Iga Swiatek with Casper Ruud, and Fritz alongside Elena Rybakina. The only doubles specialist team are the Italian defending champions, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.<\/p>\n In a truly meaningful event, the players would be scrambling for the most advantageous pairings. Since the initial entry list, numerous withdrawals have followed. Navarro\u2019s withdrawal actually led Sinner to possibly find an even better partner in Katerina Siniakova, an 11-time grand slam champion. Jack Draper, meanwhile, is now on his third partner, Jessica Pegula, after his previous partners, Zheng Qinwen and Paula Badosa, withdrew from the US Open.<\/p>\n