grabbing US Open change slammed as tennis players 'losing jobs'

The reimagined mixed doubles competition at the US Open kicks off next week, bringing fresh modifications to this year's format.

Back in 2025, US Open officials unveiled a major restructuring of the mixed event, condensing it into a two-day showcase during "Fan Week" — the period preceding the main tournament action. The field consists of only 16 teams competing under fast-four scoring rules through to the championship match.

For 2026, another adjustment has been introduced — a single-day qualifying round that permits entry based on doubles rankings, with two teams earning spots in the main competition. Notable pairings have already committed, including powerhouses Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic, alongside last year's runners-up Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud — but Naomi Osaka won't be involved.

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However, Andrew Castle has argued that the US Open's mixed doubles format resembles an exhibition more than a legitimate Grand Slam event, and has cost opportunities for dedicated doubles specialists.

"It's a shame for mixed doubles, like the proper players, because this is, for me, an exhibition. It's a one-week filler," the ex-BBC Wimbledon broadcaster shared with Betway.

Major tournaments have been broadening their programming during qualifying weeks, incorporating supplementary events and headline practice sessions. Castle views the mixed doubles as the US Open's version of this trend.

"So, everybody's looking to extend their Grand Slams that extra week through qualifying on site, through various activities, including the one-point challenge in Australia for a million bucks," he continued.

"The mixed doubles is filling that role, so... so kind of the people who play doubles, that's less jobs for them, and the tournament is over before it's begun, for them, and there are less jobs for doubles people. So that's my first thought.

"My second thoughts really are, okay, it's extending the revenue raising into a third week for a two-week Grand Slam."

The former British pro turned commentator recognizes the format helps boost ticket sales for additional tournament days, yet Castle remains unconvinced that the US Open mixed doubles carries the weight of a legitimate championship event — even with top-tier players like Djokovic and Sabalenka joining forces.

He added: "It's a bit like the Masters Series extending to 10 days and two weeks instead of a week, and I understand why it stretches it out; it stretches out the commercial revenues and all the rest of it.

"But for me, it's an exhibition. It doesn't mean much. I hope they have fun, and it's a bit of a giggle. But don't tell me that Djokovic and Sabalenka playing together is the highest form of art in our world, in our tennis world, because it isn't.

"I view it higher by a long way than [Nick] Kyrgios v Sabalenka in the exhibition match. But I still put it into a kind of exhibition category.

"Maybe I'll be proved wrong in a little bit, because when it gets down to it, the last couple of matches, people suddenly realize there's a Grand Slam title on the line. So, then it gets real."

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