'Don't call it a Grand Slam': Kristina Mladenovic blasts US Open mixed doubles new format

The US Open mixed doubles competition continues to spark debate following a format change that has effectively excluded specialist players from the draw. For this year's edition, the fourth Grand Slam of the year decided to innovate, with the tournament taking place in the week leading up to the rest of the main draw and offering a $1 million prize to the winning pair.

The US Open entry list is packed with top stars from both the men's and women's tours, with most of the top 10 singles players from both tours partnering up. Carlos Alcaraz with Emma Raducanu, Jannik Sinner with Emma Navarro, Aryna Sabalenka with Grigor Dimitrov, and Lorenzo Musetti with Jasmine Paolini are among the singles stars participating in the draw.

The US Open aims for the mixed doubles event to generate greater fan interest this year, and with virtually all the major stars competing, it has already created significant buzz. This is especially true from the perspective of doubles specialists who won't be able to participate. Only the French Open winning pair, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, will be the sole doubles specialists in the draw.

Former doubles world No. 1 Kristina Mladenovic voiced her criticism of the format change in a recent interview with Eurosport France. While acknowledging the commercial advantages, she believes it has turned the tournament "into an exhibition" and expressed concern about the exclusion of traditional doubles players.

"In terms of commercial strategy, it's a brilliant idea," admits Kristina Mladenovic, winner of nine Grand Slam titles, including three in mixed doubles. "It guarantees the US Open a much more lucrative third week in terms of ticket sales, in-stadium consumption, and, I suppose, television rights."

"But from a sporting point of view, it's problematic because it touches the essence of tennis. A Grand Slam is a competition with a lot of history, in singles and doubles. And now, suddenly, doubles becomes a big exhibition without anyone or anything being able to intervene. There's no problem organizing such an event, but above all, don't call it a Grand Slam!"

"We've been hearing for years that the funds raised by the Grand Slams are not being redistributed as they should," added the former world No. 1. "And now, when we see prize money being offered to players who don't need it, but who will gladly accept it, it's a bit unsettling. For some time now, we've had the impression that everything is going in all directions, and we wonder where our sport is headed. What's wrong with always wanting to change everything? It's a shame we don't have a foundation, a kind of higher authority in charge of protecting the history of tennis and its traditions."