Weeks 35 & 36 - US Open - Flushing Meadows, New York City (hard) - MIXED DOUBLES

9vicman · Satellite level

Weeks 35 & 36 - US Open - Flushing Meadows, New York City (hard) - MIXED DOUBLES

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

And now the finals.

I've been following it since reading the backstory, and the article on the USO website is heartening. I can't seem to find however if they were given a wildcard?

the addict · Tennis legend

Yes, they did have a wildcard - it shows on the PDF version of the draw on the USO website, but not on the regular draw pages. There were 8 wildcards, all going to US pairings

indiana · Tennis legend

I guess in mixed doubles if you are hugely motivated then you hugely increase your chances because let's face it it, mixed isn't at the top of a lot of priorities.

All the best to them though.

9vicman · Satellite level

indiana wrote:
I guess in mixed doubles if you are hugely motivated then you hugely increase your chances because let's face it it, mixed isn't at the top of a lot of priorities.

All the best to them though.

I think most of the pairs that enter mixed doubles would be looking to do well as they are nearly all doubles specialists. That said I am sure most wouldn't take a defeat as badly as a men's/women's doubles defeat which is their bread and butter.

I think having 8 wild cards (usually given to host nation) in a draw of 32 is a little excessive though. Makes the cut off very high.

-- Edited by 9vicman on Wednesday 4th of September 2024 01:06:45 PM

the addict · Tennis legend

Errani and Vavassori spoil the party by winning the final 7-6(0) 7-5 but it was still quite an acheivement for Young and Townsend to reach the final as wildcards.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

So, in their wisdom, the US Open has decided to change their approach to the mixed

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cy9lz50z1e1o

It will now be:

played in 2 days end to end ahead of the main US Open

best of three sets - but a set is to 4 games with no ad scoring and the third set an MTB - they will be over and done with in 45 mins.

16 pair draws, 8 on rankings and 8 wild cards

In essence it can no longer be called a grand slam, it is purely an exhibition - and that may work in terms of getting some singles players taking part, and the fans may like it, but it makes it a completely different event.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

from the Guardian

Eight teams will earn direct entry by their combined singles rankings, with eight other teams given wildcards into the field. Sherr declined to name any players who had committed, but said enough have expressed interest that some teams may be announced in the coming weeks, long before the field is set in the summer.

The tournament will be played in Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong, the two biggest stadiums, and be televised by ESPN in primetime, exposure that is rarely given to doubles.

But it will squeeze out doubles specialists who count on grand slam paychecks and now lose access to one of them. To compensate for that, Sherr said the prize money that was allocated to the 32-team mixed doubles tournament at last years US Open would be redirected toward mens and womens doubles.

They had a similar mixed madness exho for 4 teams this year gone, and this has developed from there.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

In terms of Brits, if theyre selecting on singles rankings; it may let Jack or Katie potentially get in but cant see them being interested, unless Katie with AdM or maybe a Jack and Emma wildcard?!

But Henry, Neal, Lloyd, Joe, Jamie, and Liv and maybe Heather or Lissey would miss out?

the addict · Tennis legend

I can understand why they have changed it but it is a real dissapointment to restrict the field and base the direct entries on singles rankings.

Last years prize money was $200k for the winners and $100k for the runners up, with $50k for the losing semi-finalists.

Here is the USO article.

wales1994 · County player

Shame, I actually think I prefer mixed to other doubles. It's fun!

seagull · Hall of fame

I hated the final moving to a Thursday, and I hate this even more!

Tanaqui · County player

seagull wrote:
I hated the final moving to a Thursday, and I hate this even more!

Agreed! This is such a rubbish decision. bleh

christ · Futures level

Very American: Increase the prize money, but restrict the entry to only rich people.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I guess I'm the only one who quite likes this.....

I see that it's not fair to doubles players - but there's no obligation to provide a living for doubles players

They already get a far, far higher percentage of prize money than the relative TV rights merit - no one pays to televise mixed doubles

I quite like watching traditional mixed doubles - but I wouldn't pay a bean for it and so I can see the logic for trying some other model

Yes, it'll become more of an exhibition event - but I can see the argument that it will draw the crowds in, enhance the anticipation excitement of the 'real' event, try and give a buzz to things as the main event is about to kick off, rather than be squeezed into slots that no one else wants near the backend of the event