What is the US Open mixed doubles as format explained for revamped controversial event

For the 2025 US Open, the mixed doubles will be looking a lot different, with it replacing the format most people are used to in Grand Slams. With an aim to get more people watching, it has changed it so some of the top singles players in the world get to compete for an increased prize pot.

These changes have received a lot of criticism when they were announced earlier this year, as fans and players are still trying to get their heads around the whole new format implemented for this tournament.

While everyone may not be happy with it, the event has a lot of potential to rake in a lot of money and engagement as some of the biggest stars in tennis play on the biggest stage. With a new scoring system, changes to a third set and a lineup filled with the best singles tennis players in the world, there is much to learn before it kicks off in a couple of weeks' time.

How will it work

The tournament itself will be played from the 19th to 20th August, a week before the US Open main draw gets officially underway, during fan week. 16 teams will play matches on the two show courts - Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The prize money has increased to $1million (£750,000) on offer to the winner. This is a massive increase from the $200,000 (£150,000) that was offered last year.

There are also fewer teams than last year, with 32 pairs now being halved to 16. The qualification process has been altered, with eight of the teams being qualified based on their singles ranking over their doubles ranking. The pair's seedings will be added, and the eight pairs with the lowest ranking will be automatically put in. The remaining eight will be wildcard selections.

Like mixed doubles, there will be three sets, but that is the end of the similarity in scoring. Sets will now go up to four games, and advantage points have been removed. The third and deciding set will not follow this format, but will be a tiebreak up to 10 points. The final will be played up to six games, but still have the 10-point tiebreak if they find themselves in a third set.

Who has qualified for the event

The Italian's bitter rival, Carlos Alcaraz, has partnered up with Emma Raducanu for the event, but needed a wildcard to enter due to the British woman's lower ranking. Fellow Brit Jack Draper is also in the event, partnered with Spaniard Paula Badosa, who originally was down to play with Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek will partner Casper Ruud, Elena Rybakina will play with last year's US Open finalist Taylor Fritz, Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova and Holger Rune team up, Belinda Bencic has gone with Alexander Zverev, Americans Jessica Pegula and Tommy Paul go together, and the Russian pair Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev are the other confirmed seeded pairs.

Last year's champion, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, have been entered as wildcards. The pair have shared their frustration over the changes to the event, but still enter in hopes of reclaiming their title and winning their third Grand Slam title together.

The Italian pair are competing along with home-favourites Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton and Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka, being chosen through the event being held in America. Serbian pair Olga Danilovic and Novak Djokovic have also entered as a wildcard entry.

There are still two wildcard entries yet to be confirmed, but it is expected that they will be released closer to the tournament.