Mixed Doubles is coming to US Open Fan Week this year

The USTA has reimagined and elevated the focus on the US Open Mixed Doubles Championship by moving it to the first week of the US Open – Fan Week – to be played Tuesday, August 19–Wednesday, August 20. With the Mixed Doubles Championship no longer played during the main draw of singles play, a blockbuster field of the sport’s biggest stars have a greater opportunity to team up to vie for this coveted Grand Slam title and a $1M winner’s prize. The Mixed Championship will take center stage over two days of competition in Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium. With the shift also comes more opportunities for fans everywhere to enjoy watching their favorite stars compete for another Grand Slam title, with planned first-time primetime ESPN and international broadcast coverage of the Championship.  

“I could not be more excited to introduce this groundbreaking innovation to the 2025 US Open Championships,” said Lew Sherr, USTA Executive Director and CEO. “We’ll be scheduling mixed doubles on the center stage and enabling more fans worldwide to enjoy the thrill of watching their favorite stars compete for this coveted Grand Slam Championship title. One of the primary reasons the US Open is among the premier sports events in the world is because it features the best athletes, both male and female, competing on an equal stage. This is the official US Open Mixed Doubles Championship, and by giving the competition its own spotlight we’re elevating mixed doubles to put an even greater focus on the incredible talent we have across the sport. We’re working closely with top players, many of whom are eager to be part of this historic change. Having our broadcasting partners, including ESPN, onboard to showcase this innovation only adds to the excitement, ensuring that fans everywhere will get to witness these elite athletes team up and redefine the game together.”

Above: A look at Ben Shelton and Taylor Townsend playing mixed doubles at the US Open. Photo credit: Todd Pechter for Florida Tennis.

Tennis is the only professional sport where women and men compete together on the same court for equal prize money in a major championship. The 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship continues this tradition, now featuring top singles players. Excitement is high among the game’s top stars who have already expressed intent to compete in this reimagined format, made possible by the shift to week one (Fan Week) where it will not overlap with the main draw singles competition.

Jessica Pegula said, “As a player who enjoys competing in doubles, I'm excited for the opportunity to play the 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship during the first week. I appreciate the importance of innovation and exploring new ways to engage more fans and grow our sport.”

Taylor Fritz added, “Mixed doubles is always a great challenge, and I’ve had some amazing experiences with it over the years, from the Olympics to the United Cup, and even the USO Mixed Madness last year. I’m definitely looking forward to the chance to compete for a Grand Slam title in the future."

Above: Townsend gets low while Shelton unleashes a big serve at the US Open. Photo credit: Todd Pechter for Florida Tennis.

The reimagination of the 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship comes following the tremendous success of the 2024 US Open Mixed Madness in Arthur Ashe Stadium, won by Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Substantial attendance figures, along with enthusiasm from broadcast partners and positive feedback from players, partners and fans showed the desire for a showcase of top players in this format. Innovations include:

• A player field featuring 16 teams – eight teams earning direct entry based on their combined singles ranking and eight wild-card entries.
• Best-of-three-set matches with short sets to four games, no-ad scoring, tiebreakers at four-all and a 10-point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set.
• The final will be a best-of-three set match to six games, featuring no-ad scoring, with tiebreakers at six-all and a 10-point match tiebreaker in lieu of a third set.
• All matches played in Arthur Ashe Stadium or Louis Armstrong Stadium.

"We are pleased to offer prime time coverage of this novel and unique development in Grand Slam tennis. The reimagined US Open Mixed Doubles Championship brings the blended intensity and camaraderie of mixed doubles to a wide ESPN audience,” said Tim Bunnell, senior vice president of programming & acquisitions, ESPN. “It is an ideal fit for US Open Fan Week programming, and a compelling momentum builder to the main draw. We applaud and eagerly anticipate this innovative effort by the USTA."

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Source: USTA. Photo credit (top): Todd Pechter for Florida Tennis.