Securing a partner for the revamped Mixed Doubles event at this year’s US Open appeared to be a straightforward task for Madison Keys, currently ranked No. 6 in the world.
Keys has teamed up with Frances Tiafoe, and their rapport is almost like that of siblings. She expressed, “It was so easy. He was the first person I thought of when they introduced the new format. We’ve known each other for years and have lived in the same apartment complex for quite some time. It almost feels like it’s my responsibility to keep him going. I really enjoy his company.”
She added, “If I was going to do this, I wanted to do it with someone I have fun with.”
Keys and Tiafoe are part of a reduced field of 16 pairings this year, amidst significant changes that have stirred both excitement and debate. The tournament kicked off on Tuesday, cutting the initial 32 teams down to 16, featuring top tennis talents, including 10 major singles champions and a cumulative 54 Grand Slam titles.
Notable pairings include Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, Venus Williams and Riley Opelka, along with Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper.
Jannik Sinner has been slated to partner with Katerina Siniakova, although his participation is uncertain following his withdrawal from the Cincinnati Open Finals due to illness.
The Mixed Doubles matches span two days, with the first rounds on Tuesday, and the semifinals and finals scheduled for Wednesday at Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadiums. The winning team will split a prize of $1 million.
To win a set, pairs only need to claim four games, and scoring is simplified.
In the final match, teams will need to secure six games to take the set, maintaining a best-of-three format.
However, this new approach hasn’t escaped criticism, particularly from those specialized in doubles. SEM Verbeek, a Wimbledon mixed doubles champion, remarked to the BBC about his disappointment regarding the changes. “My heart is bleeding,” he said.
As much as the high-profile pairings draw attention, many doubles enthusiasts are left feeling sidelined. “I’m not deeply involved, so I can’t succeed in this environment,” he reflected. “One positive might be that many fans can witness top singles stars earlier, yet as a doubles player, I feel pretty disheartened.”
