Tennis stars Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas are gearing up to contest in the mixed doubles event at the US Open. This announcement comes after significant adjustments to the tournament’s format, a move that has drawn the attention of top singles players worldwide.
In a groundbreaking announcement made in February, US Open officials revealed the introduction of substantial revisions to the tournament’s format. The alterations include cutting down the event to 16 teams, incorporating a Fast4 scoring mechanism till the final, and scheduling the event during the qualifying week. Additionally, eight teams will secure their spots in the tournament directly based on their singles ranking, while the rest will have to enter via a wildcard.
The changes, especially the reduction in team numbers, have resulted in an uproar among doubles players. Many were quick to point out this move was specifically designed to attract top singles players.
The revisions to the tournament’s format are not the only changes capturing attention. The victors of the US Open mixed doubles title will now be rewarded with a record-breaking $1 million prize money. This is a substantial leap from the $200k received by 2024 champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, signifying an $800k increase.
When questioned about his participation in the US Open mixed doubles event, Tsitsipas, the ace Greek tennis player, confirmed that he and Badosa have plans to play. He expressed that Badosa is his preferred choice for a mixed doubles partner, stating that there is no other female player he would rather share the court with. He remarked that she is always under his consideration as a mixed doubles partner.
The partnership between Tsitsipas and Badosa is not new. The duo made their official debut as a team last year, facing off against Giuliana Olmos and Santiago Gonzalez in the first round at Flushing Meadows. Their partnership dates back further, having previously played together at the Eisenhower Cup – a TieBreak Tens exhibition in Indian Wells. The duo also bagged the 2024 US Open Mixed Madness title, a mixed doubles exhibition held before the commencement of the final Slam of the year.
The dynamic pair will once again team up at this year’s Eisenhower Cup edition, providing them with another opportunity to display their on-court chemistry and skill. With their sights set on the mixed doubles event at the US Open, the tennis world is eagerly anticipating their performance.
