As a pro doubles junkie (and US Open season ticket holder), I was irate when they announced the new format. It seemed like a stunt, a sop to ESPN, and an irritating exercise in throwing money ($1M is top prize) at rich singles stars who don’t need it. Just the latest slight to excellent workaday doubles players who toil in obscurity with zero support from tours or networks.
But my fury melted away about 10 seconds after I started watching it. The novelty of it all! The teams, matchups, charm, Xs and Os, brisk pace.
The full stadiums of people watching doubles! This was such a refreshing change, and all televised. Finally the masses get to see how good the product is.
I’ve sat in empty stands watching doubles at RG, Melbourne, Buenos Aires, Phoenix, Miami. It was great to sit wherever I wanted, yet I hated it for the players … and always worried the tours would finally kill off doubles altogether as they seem to want to.
Here’s hoping this is just the jumping off point. Get the real doubles players in there next year. There were 12 matches today on two stadium courts (R16, QF), so 6 apiece and it took all day. Next year how about a 32-team, 3-day event with half “real” doubles teams and half singles stars, or if you keep it at two days, make it 8 “real” doubles teams and 8 celeb teams instead of 15 and 1. Or mix it up for e.g. Ram/Pegula vs. Ruud/Siniakova.
Relatedly, it’s important that Vavassori and Errani won twice today. Mooted the “those players can’t compete with real tennis players” argument.
One has to admit it’s been much more entertaining and enjoyable to watch than we expected. The results so far aren’t surprising: Pegula is a former doubles world No. 1, Collins frequently plays doubles, and both Iga and Casper have competed in mixed doubles on several occasions. They are exactly the kind of players who would benefit from this new type of mixed doubles tournament.
In my view, one way to make mixed doubles more popular -- without completely undermining the interests of doubles specialists -- would be to structure the draw so that half the spots are reserved for teams with high combined doubles rankings and the other half for singles specialists. This would keep the competition engaging, broaden its appeal, and likely attract sponsors, ultimately improving the livelihoods of doubles specialists in the long run.
I don't think anyone doubted that it would be fun and interesting and draw crowds. But (1) let actual doubles teams in, and (2) with the small field and the abbreviated sets and the nontraditional scoring, it's ridiculous to call this an official event that will count as a major title for the winners. It's an exhibition.
Separately, if they want to really promote this and get people to watch, why was it in the middle of the day and on ESPN+? Push it back so that it ends in prime time, and put it on ESPN or ESPN2.
Couldn't agree more. United Cup made for an exciting AO warm-up, getting to watch top ranked players as mixed teams. This felt like that, an exhibition with some stakes. That said, the poor quality of play by some of the players was sad to see. Osaka played in a t-shirt. A clear sign she wasn't taking it seriously. Next year, the USTA should lean heavily into the singles vs doubles specialist aspect that has been the most exciting throughline of this inaugural event. Viva Italia! #StupidMardyShutUp
I’m glad the format got more people to watch doubles. It was fun, and think it’s a good first step.
Don’t love the short sets, but admit I like the compressed schedule.
Also, so interesting seeing how many of the singles players struggle when playing doubles. It’s a different game, and pulling for the people who play a lot of doubles. Since most tennis fans play more doubles than singles, I think there’s potential to bring the dead (doubles) patient back to life.
Packed stands. Huge excitement. Top class tennis. Fast paced. Amazing chemistry. Mixed doubles exists. Obviously terrible for the sport and a total disaster
I was supportive of trying something new like this, but after watching the matches on TV I was left rather unsatisfied. The level of tennis was quite boring for the most part, the singles players were mostly out of their comfort zone, the matches mostly lacked drama and tension. If they choose to keep this format, they need to come up with a better balance of the most talented double players and the stars rather than making this an overwhelmingly celebrity player driven showcase. How about something like the top 16 ranked mixed doubles players matched against top men and women with little doubles experience?
I tuned in for end of alcaraz-radacanu (boy, emma was deer in headlights at net) and then the 3 matches in Pegula-Draper quarter. Alot of fun. Yes, it's a hybrid exhibition-tournament but the tennis is interesting and having the Italians there to hold up standards is good. Curious to see if the iga or jess team can take them.
I was skeptical of the format but found it a fun watch. I was a fan of Errani & Vavassori before this tournament. They are a fun watch. Looking forward to tonight's matches. I can empathize with the USO strategy to get more people watching mixed doubles - but would still hate to see the other GS follow suit. MIxed doubles is a legitimate competition and I think its disappearance would be tennis' loss.
Really fun to watch, and to see the usual stars out of their comfort zones (to varying degrees). Clearly the spectators had a blast. One can strongly argue whether it is a real sports tournament though. Clearly, so far the only fully accomplished team routed the rest (sometimes small margins yes, but these win tennis matches). So, excluding 15+ competitive couples for popularity reasons excludes this as being counted as a sporting event by a wide margin. An exhibition it is, and a really great one!
If the usual mix-doubles tournament is such a drag on the main tournament, why not have it in Week 2 on the outer courts for few spectators as usual? The courts are there, and it will presumable not hurt anyone. Errani and Vavassori could then win two US Opens. The People’s and the Critics’ Slams.
When full sets are played (unless a wholesale change to dubs events is enacted), and there's not a million dollars on the line (along with what is probably appearance money), how many of these players will:
1. Play doubles events at the ATP's Shanghai Masters and Rolex Masters (Bercy), or the WTA's China Open and Wuhan Open?
2. Play mixed doubles at what I believe is the next dual gender tour event, the Australian Open?
My money is on, "few, if any."
Entertaining? Surely that was never in doubt. Game changing? Far less likely, but we'll see.
The first day was a blast. I really enjoyed it. I enjoy watching doubles, but don't get to see it much because games aren't shown on TV so much, even the finals. And the mix of men and women, good vibes, enjoyment, but competitiveness was great. I do agree that a better mix of singles and doubles specialists needs to be found if this is to continue. Half, half could be nice, giving opportunities to the doubles specialists as well as the singles players who are usually too busy focusing on their singles during the Grand Slams themselves. Maybe they will practice together a bit more in the future (?).
As someone in Europe, I was very pleased that the games weren't on just in prime time in the US. Tonight I won't be able to watch because the games begin in the middle of the night. Such a pity.
The first day was a blast. I really enjoyed it. I enjoy watching doubles, but don't get to see it much because games aren't shown on TV so much, even the finals. And the mix of men and women, good vibes, enjoyment, but competitiveness was great. I do agree that a better mix of singles and doubles specialists needs to be found if this is to continue. Half, half could be nice, giving opportunities to the doubles specialists as well as the singles players who are usually too busy focusing on their singles during the Grand Slams themselves. Maybe they will practice together a bit more in the future (?).
As someone in Europe, I was very pleased that the games weren't on just in prime time in the US. Tonight I won't be able to watch because the games begin in the middle of the night. Such a pity.
The first day was a blast. I really enjoyed it. I enjoy watching doubles, but don't get to see it much because games aren't shown on TV so much, even the finals. And the mix of men and women, good vibes, enjoyment, but competitiveness was great. I do agree that a better mix of singles and doubles specialists needs to be found if this is to continue. Half, half could be nice, giving opportunities to the doubles specialists as well as the singles players who are usually too busy focusing on their singles during the Grand Slams themselves. Maybe they will practice together a bit more in the future (?).
As someone in Europe, I was very pleased that the games weren't on just in prime time in the US. Tonight I won't be able to watch because the games begin in the middle of the night. Such a pity.
The first day was a blast. I really enjoyed it. I enjoy watching doubles, but don't get to see it much because games aren't shown on TV so much, even the finals. And the mix of men and women, good vibes, enjoyment, but competitiveness was great. I do agree that a better mix of singles and doubles specialists needs to be found if this is to continue. Half, half could be nice, giving opportunities to the doubles specialists as well as the singles players who are usually too busy focusing on their singles during the Grand Slams themselves. Maybe they will practice together a bit more in the future (?).
As someone in Europe, I was very pleased that the games weren't on just in prime time in the US. Tonight I won't be able to watch because the games begin in the middle of the night. Such a pity.
The first day was a blast. I really enjoyed it. I enjoy watching doubles, but don't get to see it much because games aren't shown on TV so much, even the finals. And the mix of men and women, good vibes, enjoyment, but competitiveness was great. I do agree that a better mix of singles and doubles specialists needs to be found if this is to continue. Half, half could be nice, giving opportunities to the doubles specialists as well as the singles players who are usually too busy focusing on their singles during the Grand Slams themselves. Maybe they will practice together a bit more in the future (?).
As someone in Europe, I was very pleased that the games weren't on just in prime time in the US. Tonight I won't be able to watch because the games begin in the middle of the night. Such a pity.
The first day was a blast. I really enjoyed it. I enjoy watching doubles, but don't get to see it much because games aren't shown on TV so much, even the finals. And the mix of men and women, good vibes, enjoyment, but competitiveness was great. I do agree that a better mix of singles and doubles specialists needs to be found if this is to continue. Half, half could be nice, giving opportunities to the doubles specialists as well as the singles players who are usually too busy focusing on their singles during the Grand Slams themselves. Maybe they will practice together a bit more in the future (?).
As someone in Europe, I was very pleased that the games weren't on just in prime time in the US. Tonight I won't be able to watch because the games begin in the middle of the night. Such a pity.
As a pro doubles junkie (and US Open season ticket holder), I was irate when they announced the new format. It seemed like a stunt, a sop to ESPN, and an irritating exercise in throwing money ($1M is top prize) at rich singles stars who don’t need it. Just the latest slight to excellent workaday doubles players who toil in obscurity with zero support from tours or networks.
But my fury melted away about 10 seconds after I started watching it. The novelty of it all! The teams, matchups, charm, Xs and Os, brisk pace.
The full stadiums of people watching doubles! This was such a refreshing change, and all televised. Finally the masses get to see how good the product is.
I’ve sat in empty stands watching doubles at RG, Melbourne, Buenos Aires, Phoenix, Miami. It was great to sit wherever I wanted, yet I hated it for the players … and always worried the tours would finally kill off doubles altogether as they seem to want to.
Here’s hoping this is just the jumping off point. Get the real doubles players in there next year. There were 12 matches today on two stadium courts (R16, QF), so 6 apiece and it took all day. Next year how about a 32-team, 3-day event with half “real” doubles teams and half singles stars, or if you keep it at two days, make it 8 “real” doubles teams and 8 celeb teams instead of 15 and 1. Or mix it up for e.g. Ram/Pegula vs. Ruud/Siniakova.
Relatedly, it’s important that Vavassori and Errani won twice today. Mooted the “those players can’t compete with real tennis players” argument.
One has to admit it’s been much more entertaining and enjoyable to watch than we expected. The results so far aren’t surprising: Pegula is a former doubles world No. 1, Collins frequently plays doubles, and both Iga and Casper have competed in mixed doubles on several occasions. They are exactly the kind of players who would benefit from this new type of mixed doubles tournament.
In my view, one way to make mixed doubles more popular -- without completely undermining the interests of doubles specialists -- would be to structure the draw so that half the spots are reserved for teams with high combined doubles rankings and the other half for singles specialists. This would keep the competition engaging, broaden its appeal, and likely attract sponsors, ultimately improving the livelihoods of doubles specialists in the long run.
As someone who frequently watches mixed doubles, I gotta say I'm happy that more people are becoming familiar with how fun it is.
I don't think anyone doubted that it would be fun and interesting and draw crowds. But (1) let actual doubles teams in, and (2) with the small field and the abbreviated sets and the nontraditional scoring, it's ridiculous to call this an official event that will count as a major title for the winners. It's an exhibition.
Separately, if they want to really promote this and get people to watch, why was it in the middle of the day and on ESPN+? Push it back so that it ends in prime time, and put it on ESPN or ESPN2.
Happily, Opelka lost.
Couldn't agree more. United Cup made for an exciting AO warm-up, getting to watch top ranked players as mixed teams. This felt like that, an exhibition with some stakes. That said, the poor quality of play by some of the players was sad to see. Osaka played in a t-shirt. A clear sign she wasn't taking it seriously. Next year, the USTA should lean heavily into the singles vs doubles specialist aspect that has been the most exciting throughline of this inaugural event. Viva Italia! #StupidMardyShutUp
I’m glad the format got more people to watch doubles. It was fun, and think it’s a good first step.
Don’t love the short sets, but admit I like the compressed schedule.
Also, so interesting seeing how many of the singles players struggle when playing doubles. It’s a different game, and pulling for the people who play a lot of doubles. Since most tennis fans play more doubles than singles, I think there’s potential to bring the dead (doubles) patient back to life.
Packed stands. Huge excitement. Top class tennis. Fast paced. Amazing chemistry. Mixed doubles exists. Obviously terrible for the sport and a total disaster
I was supportive of trying something new like this, but after watching the matches on TV I was left rather unsatisfied. The level of tennis was quite boring for the most part, the singles players were mostly out of their comfort zone, the matches mostly lacked drama and tension. If they choose to keep this format, they need to come up with a better balance of the most talented double players and the stars rather than making this an overwhelmingly celebrity player driven showcase. How about something like the top 16 ranked mixed doubles players matched against top men and women with little doubles experience?
I tuned in for end of alcaraz-radacanu (boy, emma was deer in headlights at net) and then the 3 matches in Pegula-Draper quarter. Alot of fun. Yes, it's a hybrid exhibition-tournament but the tennis is interesting and having the Italians there to hold up standards is good. Curious to see if the iga or jess team can take them.
I was skeptical of the format but found it a fun watch. I was a fan of Errani & Vavassori before this tournament. They are a fun watch. Looking forward to tonight's matches. I can empathize with the USO strategy to get more people watching mixed doubles - but would still hate to see the other GS follow suit. MIxed doubles is a legitimate competition and I think its disappearance would be tennis' loss.
Really fun to watch, and to see the usual stars out of their comfort zones (to varying degrees). Clearly the spectators had a blast. One can strongly argue whether it is a real sports tournament though. Clearly, so far the only fully accomplished team routed the rest (sometimes small margins yes, but these win tennis matches). So, excluding 15+ competitive couples for popularity reasons excludes this as being counted as a sporting event by a wide margin. An exhibition it is, and a really great one!
If the usual mix-doubles tournament is such a drag on the main tournament, why not have it in Week 2 on the outer courts for few spectators as usual? The courts are there, and it will presumable not hurt anyone. Errani and Vavassori could then win two US Opens. The People’s and the Critics’ Slams.
When full sets are played (unless a wholesale change to dubs events is enacted), and there's not a million dollars on the line (along with what is probably appearance money), how many of these players will:
1. Play doubles events at the ATP's Shanghai Masters and Rolex Masters (Bercy), or the WTA's China Open and Wuhan Open?
2. Play mixed doubles at what I believe is the next dual gender tour event, the Australian Open?
My money is on, "few, if any."
Entertaining? Surely that was never in doubt. Game changing? Far less likely, but we'll see.
And what I meant to say but at best only suggested: Will spectators flock to subsequent mixed tournaments if the singles headliners *don't* play?
The first day was a blast. I really enjoyed it. I enjoy watching doubles, but don't get to see it much because games aren't shown on TV so much, even the finals. And the mix of men and women, good vibes, enjoyment, but competitiveness was great. I do agree that a better mix of singles and doubles specialists needs to be found if this is to continue. Half, half could be nice, giving opportunities to the doubles specialists as well as the singles players who are usually too busy focusing on their singles during the Grand Slams themselves. Maybe they will practice together a bit more in the future (?).
As someone in Europe, I was very pleased that the games weren't on just in prime time in the US. Tonight I won't be able to watch because the games begin in the middle of the night. Such a pity.
The first day was a blast. I really enjoyed it. I enjoy watching doubles, but don't get to see it much because games aren't shown on TV so much, even the finals. And the mix of men and women, good vibes, enjoyment, but competitiveness was great. I do agree that a better mix of singles and doubles specialists needs to be found if this is to continue. Half, half could be nice, giving opportunities to the doubles specialists as well as the singles players who are usually too busy focusing on their singles during the Grand Slams themselves. Maybe they will practice together a bit more in the future (?).
As someone in Europe, I was very pleased that the games weren't on just in prime time in the US. Tonight I won't be able to watch because the games begin in the middle of the night. Such a pity.
The first day was a blast. I really enjoyed it. I enjoy watching doubles, but don't get to see it much because games aren't shown on TV so much, even the finals. And the mix of men and women, good vibes, enjoyment, but competitiveness was great. I do agree that a better mix of singles and doubles specialists needs to be found if this is to continue. Half, half could be nice, giving opportunities to the doubles specialists as well as the singles players who are usually too busy focusing on their singles during the Grand Slams themselves. Maybe they will practice together a bit more in the future (?).
As someone in Europe, I was very pleased that the games weren't on just in prime time in the US. Tonight I won't be able to watch because the games begin in the middle of the night. Such a pity.
The first day was a blast. I really enjoyed it. I enjoy watching doubles, but don't get to see it much because games aren't shown on TV so much, even the finals. And the mix of men and women, good vibes, enjoyment, but competitiveness was great. I do agree that a better mix of singles and doubles specialists needs to be found if this is to continue. Half, half could be nice, giving opportunities to the doubles specialists as well as the singles players who are usually too busy focusing on their singles during the Grand Slams themselves. Maybe they will practice together a bit more in the future (?).
As someone in Europe, I was very pleased that the games weren't on just in prime time in the US. Tonight I won't be able to watch because the games begin in the middle of the night. Such a pity.
The first day was a blast. I really enjoyed it. I enjoy watching doubles, but don't get to see it much because games aren't shown on TV so much, even the finals. And the mix of men and women, good vibes, enjoyment, but competitiveness was great. I do agree that a better mix of singles and doubles specialists needs to be found if this is to continue. Half, half could be nice, giving opportunities to the doubles specialists as well as the singles players who are usually too busy focusing on their singles during the Grand Slams themselves. Maybe they will practice together a bit more in the future (?).
As someone in Europe, I was very pleased that the games weren't on just in prime time in the US. Tonight I won't be able to watch because the games begin in the middle of the night. Such a pity.
The first day was a blast. I really enjoyed it. I enjoy watching doubles, but don't get to see it much because games aren't shown on TV so much, even the finals. And the mix of men and women, good vibes, enjoyment, but competitiveness was great. I do agree that a better mix of singles and doubles specialists needs to be found if this is to continue. Half, half could be nice, giving opportunities to the doubles specialists as well as the singles players who are usually too busy focusing on their singles during the Grand Slams themselves. Maybe they will practice together a bit more in the future (?).
As someone in Europe, I was very pleased that the games weren't on just in prime time in the US. Tonight I won't be able to watch because the games begin in the middle of the night. Such a pity.