There will also be intrigue over the performances of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, after suffering early US Open upsets last year at the hands of Alexei Popyrin and Botic van de Zandschulp, respectively.

Since losing in the third round last year, Djokovic has requested changes at the US Open.

However, the changes that have been made are slightly different to those Djokovic that requested and have not gone down well with some fans.

Fans angry after US Open make changes to doubles draws for 2025 tournament

The US Open has already changed its start date after announcing that the 2025 tournament would become a 15-day event for the first time.

This change made by the US Open was divisive with fans, and now the New York major have made another significant alteration.

There are plans to make big changes to the doubles draws in 2025, including cutting the mixed doubles field down from 32 teams to 16.

The mixed doubles tournament is also set to be played in the qualifying week of the US Open, and will feature eight teams based off singles ranking, alongside eight wildcard teams.

Men’s and women’s doubles will also be adjusted, with the start day changing from the Wednesday of the first main draw week to the Friday instead.

This news has been met with a strong reaction from fans, including former world number five turned commentator Jo Durie who just put a one-worded response on social media, “Wow (shocked face).”

Another suggested that this would be the death of the mixed doubles tournament that began back in 1887.

“RIP Mixed doubles @ USO 1887-2024,” they said on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Seriously what’s the thought behind this…

“We all know the ITF hates doubles players but like why would any top player play this instead of just having practice sessions to get used to the court (well money ofc [of course] but doubt the pay is that high).”

A further person hit out at the disrespect to doubles players by using singles rankings to determine entry for the mixed event.

They said, “Mixed doubles based on singles ranking? You’re disrespecting professional doubles players.”

The criticism for this move continued, “This is the worst thing I’ve ever heard in my life tbh.”

Another person summed up their feelings in just one word, “Dreadful.”

While an additional social media user pointed out the impact that this could have on doubles specialists livelihood.

“The qualifying week???? And this is doubles players livelihood, when has it ever been based on singles rankings ???? It just screams we only want big names.”

Who won the US Open doubles titles in 2024?

The US Open doubles tournaments have seen some big names featured over the years, with Martina Navratilova winning more women’s doubles titles than anyone else in the Open Era (9).

Serena and Venus Williams also won two doubles titles at their home Grand Slam tournament together in 1999 and 2009.

In 2024, Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson recovered from Wimbledon heartbreak to win their first men’s doubles major together.

While in the women’s doubles draw, former Roland Garros singles champion Jelena Ostapenko and her then doubles partner Lyudmyla Kichenok won their first Grand Slam as a pairing.

The mixed doubles draw that has caused so much controversy with this latest announcement was won by the Italian duo of Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, as they ended the dream run of Taylor Townsend and Donald Young, in what was the latters final ever match.

The 2025 US Open main draw will get underway on Sunday August 24, with the mixed doubles tournament now set to take place the week prior.

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