Opinion The Third Edit: Mixed doubles may end up being the key

While it may evoke nostalgia, the doubles format has been completely left behind in modern-day tennis, with singles cornering almost all of the attention that tennis garners globally. The US Open evidently sees this as a profit maximisation opportunity. This year, the New York slam will revamp the mixed doubles category with an increased purse of prize money, a new scoring format and a two-day event a week prior to the singles main draws — in a bid to attract the top names and make more money through sponsorship and broadcasting.
In the past, the biggest tennis stars have played doubles and used it to extend their careers at the elite level. John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova were regulars in doubles at the Majors, and even Serena and Venus Williams have won multiple Majors together. But the demands of having to play more than 20 tournaments a year across three surfaces keeps today’s elite players away from doubles.

Mixed doubles may end up being key if the doubles format is revived. Men’s doubles is often too serve-dominant and does not capture the best of the power-baseline game in singles. Women’s doubles lacks the punch and craft of the singles game. The mixed format produces unpredictable matchups and a contrasting clash of styles; its newness can be a challenge even for the most elite players. Mixed-gender events are being pushed across sports. The 4x400m relay event at the Paris Olympics was one of the most memorable of track and field events: World Athletics has announced a new mixed 4x100m relay event at the world championships from 2026. The US Open believes that more money can be squeezed out of its product with this new format. But if it is a success, and the big names turn up, the game may get a much-needed shot in the arm too.