With star duos, a record amount of prize money and a good dose of American entertainment, the US Open hopes to breathe new life into the mixed doubles from Tuesday. Not all tennis players are happy with that.
Reilly Opelka will play a double party in New York on Tuesday together with Venus Williams. That is striking, because the 27-year-old American once called the doubles “a sport for failed singles”.
“Dubbel players are the most paid athletes in the world,” he wrote on X. “They should abolish it. The double residents do not sell tickets and also complain that they do not earn enough money. It is greedy behavior.”
He seems to leave that opinion on the US Open for a moment. “That he is participating in this tournament, says enough,” says former double specialist Matwé Middelkoop, who is full of surprise Nu.nl. “Isn’t that too bizarre for words? He just wants to expel those double residents and rake the money in himself. It is laughable.”
Also world toppers Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Mirra Andreeva would normally want to know nothing about a mixed double, but they would like to make an exception for the US Open. While the double specialists have it checking.
Sets up to four games and interviews during competitions
In total, only five double residents participate in the tournament. From the singles, six female tennis players from the global top ten participate. For the men there are nine. The US Open sees the show event as an attractive and spectacular warm -up for the single tournament.
“Just grab your popcorn: this is going to be fantastic,” is the motto of the US Open. Apart from the final, the duos play short games of only four games won per set. At Deuce a winning point is immediately played and with a third decisive set the duos finish a super tie break up to 10.
The winning duo of the tournament receives no less than 885,700 euros in prize money. For comparison: last year’s winning team was only allowed to add 175,000 euros.
In addition, all matches are played in the two largest stadiums in Flushing Meadows and broadcast live on TV channel ESPN . After each set there is an interview with a player on the track. And fans can experience the perspective of the tennis players via a bodycam. “It’s Pure Show,” says Middelkoop. “Tenish.”
Selection criteria for the US Open
Eight duos were given a place on the US Open based on their joint position on the world ranking in singles. The other eight couples participate via a wildcard.
With all other Grand Slams, DUOs are admitted based on their ranking on the world ranking in the doubles.
“It’s unfair”
From a commercial point of view, Middelkoop and the other Dutch double specialists understand that the US openly opts for a new format, but the way in which hurts.
“Normally everyone can register at Grand Slams for the mixed double. Also the toppers in the singles, but now they suddenly get priority based on their ranking. That is unfair,” says Dubbelaar Sem Verbeek.
“Of course those singles give a lot of money and everyone will buy tickets to see Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu play together,” says Dubbelpecialist Demi Schuurs to NU.nl. “But otherwise they would never have registered for a mixed double. Now they can win a Grand Slam title. That is very blurry and makes no sense.”
Wimbledon Champion Verbeek also questions that official Grand Slam title. Two months ago, the Dubbelaar won the second Dutchman once the mixed double in London. “We took a week at Wimbledon. There is not playing according to the normal format on the US Open. That is quite crooked and unfair.”
Middelkoop: “They are now a kind of demonstration competitions. I think it is really outrageous. It has always been the double child. We have been fighting with the ATP and WTA for years and are now not being taken seriously.”
‘Only Wimbledon will not do this’
Middelkoop even thinks that the format can pose a danger to all double disciplines. “This can be the potential death blow for the Dubbelaars. If this becomes a resounding success, the Australian will open and Roland Garros also tackle. And then they will also throw the men’s and women’s doubles on the kick.”
“Only Wimbledon will not do it that fast,” says Schuurs. “They are too traditional for that.” Verbeek: “That tournament attaches less value to money and entertainment.”
Despite her mixed feelings, Schuurs would have liked to participate in the prestigious tournament. The Limburg wanted to form a duo with Gaël Monfils. “With such a showman by my side, I had the best chance of a place in the schedule, but unfortunately that did not work.”
Schuurs decided to register better with Tallon Griekspoor, but the Dutch duo got no further than a place on the reserve list. “I also know that people would rather look at Alcaraz or Williams than me and tallon. But it is a pity.”
With Star Duos, A Record Amount of Prize Money And A Healthy Dose of American Entertainment, The US Open Hopes To Breathe New Life Into Mixed Doubles From Tesday. Not all tennis players are happy about that.
Reilly Opelka Will Play A Doubles Match in New York on Tuesday with Venus Williams. That is striking, because the 27-year-old American Once Called Doubles “A Sport for Failed Singles Players”.
“Doubles Players are the most overpaid athletes in the world,” he wrote on X. “They should be abolish it. The Doubles players Don’t Sell Tickets and Still complain that they don’t earn Enough Money. It’s Greedy Behavior.”
He seems to be leaving that opinion Behind at the US Open for a while. “The fact that he is participating in this Tournament Says Enough,” Says Former Doubles Specialist Matwé Middelkoop, who is amazed when speaking to nu.nl. “Isn that too bizarre for words? He just wides to drive out Those Doubles players and striking in the money himself. It’s Laughable.”
World Stars Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Mirra Andreeva would normal not because to know about mixed doubles, but they are happy to make an exception for the us open. While the Doubles Specialists Are Left Behind.
Sets to Four Games and Interviews Duration Matches
In Total, Only Five Doubles Players Are Participating in The Tournament. Six Female Tennis Players From The Global Top Ten Are Participating from the Singles. For men, that is nine. The US Open Sees The Show Event As An Attractive and Spectacular Warm-Up For The Singles Tournament.
“Grab your popcorn: This is going to be fantastic,” is the motto of the us open. Apart from the final, the Duos play Shortened Matches of Only Four won games per set. In the event of a deuce, a winning point is played directly and in the event of a third decisive set, the duos complete a super tiebreak to 10.
The winning duo of the Tournament Will Receive No Less than 885,700 euros in Prize Money. In Comparison: The Winning Team Last Year was only allowed to add 175,000 euros.
In Addition, All Matches Are Played in The Two Largest Stadiums in Flushing Meadows and Broadcast Live on TV Channel ESPN . After Each Set There is an interview with a player on the court. And fans can experience the perspective of the tennis players via a bodycam. “It’s pure show,” Says Middelkoop. “Embarrassing.”
Selection Criteria for the US Open
Eight Duos Were Allocated a Place at the US Open Based On Their Joint Position in the World Ranking in Singles. The Other Eight Couples Participate via A Wildcard.
At all other grand slams, duos are admitted based on their ranking in the world ranking in Doubles.
‘It’s Unfair’
From a Commercial Point of View, Middelkoop and the Other Dutch Doubles Specialists Understand That the US Open is opting for a new format, but the way in which it does so so hurts.
“Normally Everyone Can Register for Mixed Doubles at Grand Slams. Also the Top Players in Singles, But Now they Suddenly Get Priority Based On Their Ranking. That’s Unfair,” Says Doubles Player Sem Verbeek.
“Or Course Singles Players generate a lot of money and everyone is going to buy tickets to see alcaraz and emma Raducanu play Together,” Says Doubles specialist Demi Schuurs to NU.nl. “But they would never have signed up for mixed doubles otherwise. Now they can win a grand slam title. That’s very vague and make no sense.”
Wimbledon Champion Verbeek also Questions That Official Grand Slam Title. The Doubles Player won the Mixed Doubles in London Two Months ago as the Second Dutchman ever. “At Wimbledon it taught us a week. The US Open is not played accordance to the normal format. That is QUITE Strange and Unfair.”
Middelkoop: “They are now a child of demonstration matches. I think it’s really scandalous. Doubles has always leg the neglected child. We have bone fighting with the atp and wta for years and are once not be -not being tasks seriously.”
‘Only Wimbledon won do this’
Middelkoop Even Thinks That the Format Could Be A Danger to All Doubles Disciplines. “For Doubles Players, This Could Be the Potential Death Knell. If this is a resounding Success, The Australian Open and Roland Garros Will also Come Around. And then Will also Change the Men’s and Women’s Doubles.”
“Only Wimbledon won do it that quickly,” Schuurs Thinks. “They are too traditional for that.” Verbeek: “That Tournament Attaches less value to money and entertainment.”
Despite Her Mixed Feelings, Schuurs would have Liked to Participate in The Prestigious Tournament. The Limburg Woman Wanted to Form A Duo With Gaël Monfils. “With such a showman by my side, I would have the best chance of a place in the Schedule, but unfortunately that didn’t work out.”
Schuurs decided to register Together with Tallon Griekspoor Against Her Better Judgment, but the Dutch Duo Did Not Get Past A Place on the Reserve List. “I know that people would rather Watch Alcaraz or Williams than me and tallon. But it’s a Shame.”