With star-studded pairings, document prize cash and a wholesome dose of controversy, the US Open combined doubles draw will get underway Tuesday in New York with extra fanfare than ever earlier than.
Questioning what precisely is so uncommon about this occasion or what we are able to count on from it? Here is the whole lot you want to know earlier than play begins.
OK, so what makes this completely different from a typical combined doubles event at a Slam?
Fairly a bit. Usually, the combined doubles occasion runs concurrently with the primary draw and the championship match is held in the course of the last weekend. However this version might be condensed into two days throughout qualifying week. Whereas combined doubles matches are sometimes relegated to the outer courts, and scheduled round singles and doubles matches, these will all be held completely at Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium, the 2 largest courts on the USTA Nationwide Tennis Heart.
And, along with a radically completely different format (extra on that under), this event additionally options an unprecedented variety of top-ranked singles gamers.
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Normally a participant’s doubles rating is used for entry and seeding in combined doubles occasions, however the US Open is utilizing singles rankings, making entry extra accessible for the best-known gamers. As a result of many high gamers — particularly the boys, who play best-of-five units — do not need to jeopardize their singles runs throughout majors, they usually do not play combined doubles. However by holding combined doubles the week earlier than the primary draw, that is now not a problem. Two-time US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe instructed ESPN it felt like a no brainer to play because of this.
“We get to play severe matches on Ashe, in entrance of packed arenas, and all the very best gamers on the planet are going to be enjoying,” Tiafoe mentioned earlier this month. “It is good to get on the market and have some enjoyable, play some combined doubles the week earlier than [the main draw starts]. I’ll be there doing media and all different kinds of stuff in any case, so would possibly as nicely go on the market and attempt to make some extra cash and maintain my lights on somewhat bit.”
So, who’s enjoying?
Although there have been some unimaginable combined doubles partnerships prior to now (see: Serena Williams and Andy Murray at Wimbledon in 2019), that is unquestionably essentially the most star-studded area in historical past. Throughout the 16 pairs, there are 10 main singles champions within the draw — with a mixed 54(!) Slam titles between them — and 7 different gamers who’ve reached a serious singles last.
Eight groups got direct entry because of their mixed singles rankings, and an extra eight got wild playing cards. All are able to successful the title.
Direct entry:
Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper
Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud
Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz
Amanda Anisimova and Holger Rune
Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev
Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev
Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe
Karolina Muchova and Andrey Rublev
Wild playing cards:
Olga Danilovic and Novak Djokovic
Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz
Katerina Siniakova and Jannik Sinner
Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton
Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka
Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori (defending champions)
Naomi Osaka and Gael Monfils
Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti
We must always point out, that is the official listing as of Sunday evening. However the pairs have modified a good quantity over the previous few days, and we would not be stunned if some further gamers withdrew and had been changed on the final minute. Swiatek, Alcaraz and Sinner are all enjoying Monday of their respective finals in Cincinnati and that might show difficult for Tuesday’s occasion.
Jasmine Paolini, who might be enjoying in opposition to Swiatek for the Cincinnati title, was initially slated to be partnered with Musetti however introduced she would now not be doing so after making the ultimate. Nonetheless, the entire remaining gamers are excited concerning the alternative to play alongside different superstars. Alcaraz, a five-time main champion, has been vocal all summer season lengthy about his enthusiasm for pairing up with Raducanu.
“She’s going to be the boss,” Alcaraz mentioned throughout a information convention at Queen’s Membership in June. “I am tremendous enthusiastic about it. I feel it may be nice. It was an incredible thought for the event.”
What precisely is the format?
If you have not already been bought on simply how distinctive this occasion is, this facet will certainly persuade you.
Held in a considerably shortened two-day span, beginning on Tuesday at 11 a.m. ET with the primary and second rounds, and concluding Wednesday with the semifinals and last, even the matches themselves may have a special look. Although they are going to be best-of-three units, as is normal, a staff must win solely 4 video games to assert the set. If each groups have gained 4 video games, there might be a tiebreak to find out the set victor. There’s additionally no-advantage scoring so if a deuce rating is reached in a sport, the staff who wins the following level takes the sport.
If there’s a tie after the second set, there might be a 10-point tiebreak as a substitute of a decider.
Within the last, the format reverts to a best-of-three set match with a staff needing to win six video games to clinch the set. A ten-point tiebreak stays rather than a 3rd set.
When talking to reporters on the Cincinnati Open, Venus Williams mentioned she was excited to attempt one thing new.
“I like innovation,” Williams mentioned. “I really feel it is incredible. We will all get on the market and play and see the way it works. I am not used to enjoying 4 video games, however I am used to enjoying video games. That is a plus.”
How a lot will the successful staff make?
That is yet one more dramatic distinction from earlier years and the opposite Slams, and maybe one more reason for the inflow of huge names within the draw. The successful pair will cut up a $1 million paycheck — an $800,000 enhance from 2024.
The combined doubles champions at Wimbledon in July made about $181,000 to share. The 2025 French Open champions earned roughly $142,000 and the successful duo on the Australian Open took house round $114,000.
The runners-up in New York will earn $400,000. Groups will make $20,000 merely for making the draw and shedding of their opening-round match. When requested by ESPN why he wished to play within the occasion, Tiafoe could not assist however instantly reference the purse, earlier than clarifying he was joking.
“The prize cash is first rate, I heard,” Tiafoe mentioned with a smile.
This all sounds nice. How do gamers really feel about it?
That is the place issues get, nicely, combined.
For large-name gamers, similar to Tiafoe, Alcaraz and Williams, it is an thrilling growth and an opportunity to do one thing new. For different gamers, particularly doubles specialists, it is not fairly as well-received.
Townsend and Shelton teamed up on the event in 2023 and Townsend at present holds the No. 1 doubles rating and is a frequent fixture in combined attracts. However Errani and Vavassori — the 2024 champions — are the lone returning pair from final 12 months and the one staff that has performed collectively this season. Townsend’s doubles companion Katerina Siniakova, a 10-time main doubles champion who can be the reigning Wimbledon and Olympic combined doubles champion, had been crucial concerning the number of who will get to play. She had signed up for entry with Marcelo Arevalo in July. Each had been the top-ranked doubles gamers on the planet on the time.
“When two world No. 1s in doubles do not get into the event, there’s in all probability nothing extra to say about it,” Siniakova mentioned in an interview translated from her native Czech with Canal+ in July.
Siniakova was in the end named alongside Sinner on Sunday after Emma Navarro, his unique companion, withdrew. However she remains to be considered one of only a handful of doubles specialists within the draw.
Sam Verbeek, who gained the Wimbledon title with Siniakova in July, mentioned in an interview with the BBC that his “coronary heart is bleeding” for doubles gamers.
Kristina Mladenovic, a two-time combined doubles champion, referred to as it a “sensible thought” when it comes to making further income and getting extra eyes on the event in the course of the qualifying week, however in the end referred to as it a “tremendous exhibition.”
“There is no drawback placing on such an occasion, however above all, do not name it a Grand Slam,” she added in an interview with Eurosport.
However, it is protected to say this event can already be deemed considerably profitable when it comes to fan curiosity, hype and curiosity.
