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

indiana · Tennis legend

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

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
Surely it would at least have been a good idea to have some of the very top ranked doubles players in there with slots based on doubles rankings, even just the top 2 or 3 ranked doubles men and women. It would be something for them and it would be interesting to see the top singles players playing doubles against some of the top specialists.

Or are they not even interested in interesting competition for some wbo wouod appreciate it? Just wow, bring your camphones, roll up and let's have a party with the big names rather than some obscure very good East European doubles player. Hey, some of the names might be really crap at some doubles tactics, won't that be fun to watch. Yay!!!

Agree with this and cant see why they couldnt have done say 3 places to doubles or even combo singles doubles rankings and pairings as an entry option.

FlipFlops · Improver

Very nice of them to increase the pretty measly prize money for it now that no Doubles players can enter... Taken away money from specialists that likely need it, and then increased the pot drastically and essentially forbidden any of said specialists to play. Last year weren't all the players who won Mixed Grand Slams all doubles players?

I don't really understand what the plan is with doubles. Keep making it less of a viable career option and who will be there to fill out ground pass matches at the slams, or filling in games in between masters events and tour events. Seems strange to me.

9vicman · Satellite level

Coup Droit wrote:
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

I think it's possible to recognise what the USTA is doing while also seeing the event for what it is: a star-studdied exhibition in Fan Week which is so much more than qualifying week these days. The Slams are becoming are three week events, with Sunday starts,and exhibitions and other entertainment during qualifying week.

But of course it's not a Grand Slam mixed doubles title, and insulting to all the former champions if they go up on the tournament honour roll.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

9vicman wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
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
I think it's possible to recognise what the USTA is doing while also seeing the event for what it is: a star-studdied exhibition in Fan Week which is so much more than qualifying week these days. The Slams are becoming are three week events, with Sunday starts,and exhibitions and other entertainment during qualifying week.
But of course it's not a Grand Slam mixed doubles title, and insulting to all the former champions if they go up on the tournament honour roll.

I think is a good summary of my view - definitely not a grand slam title anymore and, being frank, I dont think we need another made for TV exhibition event in a contrived format.

I hope the other slams stick with their mixed events, although all of them seem to be tinkering with schedules and how to get the most out of them.