“Doesn’t all need to be about money” – Fritz welcomes US Open’s new mixed doubles format
The New York Major will hold the mixed competition in fan week instead of the main draw fortnight
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The US Open think tank received backing from world No 4 Taylor Fritz over the new mixed doubles format unveiled recently.
The New York Major will wrap up the mixed competition in two days (August 19-20) during the fan week this year, drawing only 16 teams—eight pairs based on combined singles rankings and as many wildcards. Furthermore, a new scoring system will be adopted, shortening matches, except the final, to best-of-three set matches to four games.
While the organisers claim to make the mixed doubles event more exciting with the update, the move has divided the tennis community, with many foreseeing financial struggles for pros relying on the competition.
Meanwhile, Taylor Fritz spoke in favor of the change in a press interaction ahead of his Delray Beach Open campaign.
“A lot of doubles players will be upset about it but at the end of the day, the truth of the matter is that mixed doubles, as it was, isn’t adding that much to the Slams. It’s not creating a lot of excitement. They’re not filling up stadiums,” he said, adding:
“It doesn’t all need to be about the money and driving people. But people will be more excited to watch it with the top singles players playing together in mixed doubles. I think the fans are going to be more excited about it.”
Fritz: “I’m biased towards it because it’s in a better spot for me to play”
Fritz also hoped to fight for the 2025 US Open mixed doubles title under the new format.
“Yeah, I think there’s a very good chance that I’ll play the mixed doubles competition honestly,” Fritz said. “It falls at a good time. It’s going to be really exciting, all people are gonna be excited about it and I genuinely love playing mixed doubles. So there’s a good chance I’ll play it.
“For people like me, I’m excited about it. I think it will be a good change but obviously I’m biased towards it because it’s in a better spot for me to play when I’m never going to play it in between singles matches and during the tournament. So, I would never play it otherwise.”
The American is not new to team competitions as he recently won US the United Cup alongside Coco Gauff. Last year, he teamed up with compatriot Tommy Paul to clinch a bronze medal in Paris Olympics doubles event.
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