[Trending News] Opinion divided over US Open's move to downplay mixed doubles | Tennis News – The Times of India

DUBAI: The US Open’s decision to cut and change the draw of its mixed-doubles event has divided the locker-room on the men’s and women’s tours. The Open’s plan is to reschedule mixed-doubles as a standalone feature during the qualifying draw, tossing out $1 million in prize-money.
This year’s mixed-doubles event in New York, perhaps inspired by the vibe of last year’s ‘Mixed Madness’ mela, will feature 16 pairs as against the 32 that make up mixed-doubles draws at Grand Slams. It will be played on August 19-20, three days before the start of the main draw. The qualification process has also been changed, with eight teams earning direct entry courtesy their combined singles ranking, while the other eight teams will be wildcard entries.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Rohan Bopanna, still going strong in doubles at almost 45 years, said it was a lost opportunity for doubles specialists, who look forward to playing two events in Grand Slams — doubles and mixed doubles. “I don’t think any doubles players can really play the mixed doubles. This year’s US Open will be the first Grand Slam where we are not playing two events,” Bopanna told TOI on the sidelines of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis championships here.
Bopanna believes doubles is still a popular option for singles players on the ATP Tour. “All the guys who enjoy doubles play doubles on the circuit,” Bopanna said. “The system is such that you can use singles ranking to get into doubles, on the ATP Tour you see a bunch of guys playing doubles and they enjoy it.”
Yuki Bhambri, the India No.2 in the individual doubles ranking, said the USTA knew exactly what they were doing when they wrung in the changes. “Grand Slams especially have always talked about tradition, that’s why they never want to shorten matches,” he said. “They do that when it suits them, obviously business over (other) interests. The mixed doubles for a lot of countries like Great Britain, India and Australia has been a source of Grand Slam achievement. You’re never going to get an opportunity like that with what they’ve done.”
“You’re essentially having the singles guys play a practice week,” the 32-year-old Bhambri said, adding, “It is obviously a sad day and a loss for a lot of the doubles players. We’ve all spoken about that, everyone is aware of what they’ve done and how they’ve gone about it.”
Last year’s Mixed Madness exhibition event before the start of the main draw saw a number of high-profile singles players pairing up. American Coco Gauff said she wouldn’t be playing the mixed event this time even though she enjoyed being a part of Mixed Madness last year. “It’s an interesting situation because (on one side) some (players) rely on mixed doubles and it’s an event that’s been there forever. On the other hand, I know they’re trying to get more singles players involved, maybe grow the sport,” Gauff said, “I most likely won’t be participating just because it’s not a great time for me, it will take away from the preparation for US Open.”