The mixed doubles, the real success of the Hopman Cup

For an unusual discipline, all the players involved seemed to appreciate it, including world number one Carlos Alcaraz

Riedi and Naef compete together at the Hopman Cup 2023 Zuma / Panoramic

July 23, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz , Holger Rune and Borna Coric had one thing in common before playing the Hopman Cup. They had never played mixed doubles before. It is the flagship event of the competition, which makes it possible to decide between two nations in the event of a tie after the two singles. Its novelty was much anticipated for those who yet to play mixed doubles.

Before entering the competition , the world number one was keen to experience this rather unique discipline: “I wanted to be here, to play this tournament which is magnificent. We are not used to playing mixed doubles, in a mixed tournament.” Two lost games later , the Spaniard, obviously disappointed, still admitted that he had enjoyed the experience.

Carlos Alcaraz and Rebeka Masarova – Hopman Cup 2023 © Hopman Cup

“That was cool. It’s nice to have the experience of playing mixed doubles and mixed tournaments. It was also nice to share this event with Rebeka (Masarova). It was really cool,” he said positively.

Will we now see him playing mixed doubles on the circuit again? Unlikely. In 2006, Novak Djokovic played mixed doubles at the Australian Open with his compatriot Ana Ivanovic. They lost in the second round. His first and last appearance in this discipline in a Grand Slam.

THE ABSENCE OF PRESSURE, IDEAL FOR LETTING GO

Because these matches were played from 9 p.m. in a night session, the mixed doubles benefited from an energetic atmosphere.

Borna Coric and Donna Vekic, winners of the Hopman Cup, won both their doubles matches: “We had never played together when we have known each other for 20 years. We didn’t have a lot of expectations but we remained undefeated”, she explained during the trophy ceremony. Croatia entered the competition for the second time since 1995, which saw the victory of Iva Majoli, director of the tournament, and Goran Ivanisevic.

Our second finalists!! Team Croatia🇭🇷🔥@borna_coric @DonnaVekic #teamcroatia #hopmancup2023 pic.twitter.com/D4uvnvXxQb
— Hopman Cup (@hopmancup) July 22, 2023

For their part, Alizé Cornet and Richard Gasquet had already tested themselves in this discipline earlier in their career. Cornet even played the Australian Open with Édouard Roger-Vasselin at the start of the year. “I love mixed doubles, I had a lot of fun,” she recalled at a press conference. The pair have won one out of two matches in this Hopman Cup (a victory against Denmark, a defeat against Switzerland).

A DIFFERENT TACTIC COMPARED TO THE CLASSIC DOUBLE

The Belgian pair David Goffin and Elise Mertens had already played this year in Australia, during the United Cup. The will were at least served well by this experience for their meeting against Carlos Alcaraz and Rebeka Masarova, which the Belgians won (6-3, 6-1).

“It changes a lot. We must try to help each other as much as possible. Each game is different depending on the man or woman serving. We try to vary the tactics. In mixed doubles, you have to stay calm and help yourself constantly,” summed up Goffin, who had lost, with Mertens, the first double against Croatia.