Stefanos Tsitsipas ‘doesn’t have any other options’ as he confirms Paula Badosa plan
US Open organisers’ controversial mixed doubles revamp has received a major boost as another of tennis’ power couples have indicated that they are “planning to play”.
In an attempt to increase interest in the event, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) has announced a restructure of the mixed doubles with the tournament set to take place the week before the US Open gets underway.
The drastic changes include the event being held across just two days, the early-round matches being best-of-three sets and first to four games with no ad scoring.
Prize money will shoot out and organisers hope the changes will lead to an increase in singles players competing with 16 spots up for grabs.
The Italian pair of Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori won the mixed doubles event last year and they earned $200,000 as a team, but that cheque will jump significantly as the 2025 winners will receive $1 million.
This year’s tournament will see eight teams earn direct entry via their combined singles ranking while the other eight will come via wildcard entries.
Tennis couple Stefanos Tsitispas and Paula Badosa – both ranked inside the top 20 – look set to compete with the former confirming their plans for the hard-court Grand Slam.
“We are planning to play. She’s the mixed doubles partner I would always play with,” the Greek said.
“I don’t have any other options out there or any other female player that I would want to play mixed doubles with. She’s always under my consideration and always someone I would want to share the court with.”
Tsitsidosa – as they are known as – competed in the mixed doubles event at the US Open last year, but lost in straight sets in the first round.
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Several doubles players have criticised the changes with reigning champions Errani and Vavassori issuing a joint statement to voice their unhappiness.
“We see it as a profound injustice that disrespects an entire category of players. We don’t know at the moment if we’ll have the chance to defend our title, but we hope this remains an isolated case,” the Italians said.
But support from singles players seem to be growing as Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter have also said they are keen to be one of the 16 teams.
De Minaur, who got engaged to Boulter last year, said: “Me personally, I really enjoy playing mixed doubles, so I think it’s going to be fun to hopefully play some mixed with Katie, which will be exciting.
“If I’m looking purely at myself and the situation I’m in, it does present an opportunity for me to play mixed doubles, which in previous years I probably wouldn’t have done just because as the format is right now for a singles player, you’re not really going to play mixed doubles because your priority is obviously the singles.
“The way it’s proposed now, it definitely entices a lot more of the singles players to play, and it’s an opportunity.”
