Tennis stars Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka are granted wild-card entries for the mixed doubles tournament at the US Open.
The Redesigned US Open Mixed Doubles Tournament: A Showcase for Top Players
After a series of changes aimed at attracting bigger-name players and increasing spectator interest, the US Open mixed doubles tournament is set to return next month with an exciting lineup of participants.
The USTA has announced 14 teams for the redesigned tournament, one of which includes tennis legend Venus Williams and American player Reilly Opelka. Williams, who has won 7 grand slam titles in singles, 14 in women's doubles (all with her younger sister Serena), and 2 in mixed doubles, is set to compete in the US Open next month.
The tournament, which has been moved to the week before the start of singles competition, will feature a shorter format with first-to-four-game sets and no-ad scoring. This change aims to speed up matches and reduce overlapping with singles matches, allowing top singles players to participate without having to choose between events.
Six teams were given wild cards by the USTA, while eight teams received direct entry into the field based on their combined current singles rankings. The prize money for the tournament has also been increased, with the winners set to receive up to $1 million.
The redesigned mixed doubles tournament will feature 14 players who are ranked in the WTA or ATP top 10 for singles. Opelka, Williams' partner, is a 27-year-old American currently ranked No. 74.
Other high-profile pairs, such as Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur, Jasmine Paolini and Lorenzo Musetti, and Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios, were hoping to get into the tournament but were not on Tuesday's list.
The changes to the mixed doubles tournament have been met with mixed reactions. While some doubles specialists have criticized the revamp as prioritizing entertainment over traditional doubles competition, others, like top doubles player Taylor Townsend, have defended the changes as innovative and necessary.
The 2023 US Open mixed doubles tournament will take place on August 19-20. With an increased prize money, a condensed format, and separated scheduling, it is shaping up to be a prestigious pre-singles showcase attracting marquee players.
Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka are just one of the 16 duos competing for the top prize in this year's tournament. Last week, Williams won one match each in singles and doubles at the DC Open in Washington, showcasing her readiness for the upcoming event.
[1] US Open Mixed Doubles Redesign: Aiming for Spectator Interest and Star Participation
[2] Taylor Townsend Defends US Open Mixed Doubles Redesign
[4] US Open Mixed Doubles Redesign: A Look at the Changes
[1] The US Open Mixed Doubles redesign aims to boost spectator interest and secure top player participation, with Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka competing this year.
[2] Top doubles player Taylor Townsend defends the US Open Mixed Doubles redesign, highlighting its innovative approach to attracting star tennis talent.
