"It definitely entices more singles players to play" - Alex de Minaur looking forward to playing mixed doubles at US Open under new format

With the US Open set to implement a new format for the mixed doubles draw at this year's tournament, Australian Alex de Minaur has announced his intention to participate at the controversial event.

The US Open mixed doubles will now take place before the singles event, in an attempt to allow top singles players to compete under this new format. Furthermore, it will also involve 16 teams instead of 32, with a $1 million prize money pool up for grabs.

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De Minaur already looking ahead to New York

The top-ranked Aussie star is now known for his prowess on the doubles court. However, de Minaur revealed he would take advantage of the opportunity to participate at the mixed doubles event at Flushing Meadows later this year.

"Look, ultimately you’re going to have very different answers based on who you ask, right?" said de Minaur in a press conference in Dubai. "If I’m looking purely at myself and the situation I’m in, it does present an opportunity for me to play mixed doubles, which in previous years I probably wouldn’t have done just because as the format is right now for a singles player, you’re not really going to play mixed doubles because your priority is obviously the singles.
“It’s halfway through the tournament, so it makes it way too difficult, especially for the men who are playing best-of-five sets. They want to make sure they get their recovery in, all that stuff.
“The way it’s proposed now, it definitely entices a lot more of the singles players to play, and it’s an opportunity. Me personally, I really enjoy playing mixed doubles, so I think it’s going to be fun to hopefully play some mixed with Katie Boulter, which will be exciting."

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However, de Minaur acknowledges that the new format may be not be welcomed by regular doubles players.

“It obviously isn’t the best situation for the doubles players, taking away their chance and opportunity to play these events,” said the World No.8 “I guess we’ll have to wait and see how that first week turns out, then go from there, right? We’ll see how the final product looks, if it works, if it doesn’t. I’m sure they’ll make a decision after that."

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