“Disrespectful for the Tour events”: Tim Henman rips into US Open mixed doubles format change

Former British No. 1 Tim Henman gave his verdict on the new US Open mixed doubles format, which included major stars from the singles tour—including Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Emma Raducanu, and Jack Draper—but meant the exclusion of regular doubles specialists.

The US Open made a revolutionary move with mixed doubles to generate more attention for the event. They changed the entry system, granting 8 spots based on combined singles rankings and another 8 wildcards, prioritizing big names from singles over the highest-ranked doubles players. A million-dollar prize pool and holding the tournament during the week before the main draw began—in Fan Week—ended up being the incentive needed for the big singles stars to compete in the mixed doubles format.

A significant number of singles players gathered for the first time in a Grand Slam mixed doubles draw, along with other top-level names, including Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Jessica Pegula, Belinda Bencic, and Amanda Anisimova, among others.

“Am I excited to watch those players on court? Absolutely. However, I disagree that, a) it’s a Grand Slam event; and b) with taking it outside of the two weeks [of the main tournament] because I think that is disrespectful for the tour events that are taking place on the WTA and ATP Tour in the week before the US Open,” stated Tim Henman in a recent interview with Telegraph.

The tournament was held over two days and concluded with the final this Wednesday, August 20, where defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori won the title in a match tie-break, defeating Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud—a pair accustomed to playing exclusively singles—6-3, 5-7, [10-6].

“We’re trying to get the sport to collaborate better. In my opinion, it’s not helpful. I would make it an exhibition," mentioned Henman. "There are rules in place for exhibitions, that’s the difference – and you can’t have exhibitions within a certain distance of main tour events. We have Hurlingham or Stoke Park before Wimbledon."

The week's champions were, in fact, the doubles specialists and defending champions, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who entered with a wildcard. The Italians had also won the Roland Garros title together this year and didn't drop a set on their way to the final.

They comfortably defeated the pairings of Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina, then Andrey Rublev and Karolina Muchova, and in the semifinals, Christian Harrison and Danielle Collins—all in straight sets. Of their opponents, only Harrison is a doubles specialist, which surely gave his team a boost to reach the semifinals. In the final, they had a bit more trouble but ultimately prevailed 6-3, 5-7, 10-6.

"I think this one is for all the doubles players that couldn't play this tournament. I think this one is also for them," Sara Errani commented at the award ceremony. "Andrea, you are too strong, too good. I am enjoying so much playing with you... It’s a pleasure for me to be by your side. It’s always so special. We are sharing these moments that are unforgettable, so I’m really happy to share them with you."

For his part, Vavassori thanked the great atmosphere in Arthur Ashe Stadium for closely following each of the tournament's matches. "It was an amazing atmosphere, so I have to say thanks to the organization, to [tournament director] Stacey [Allaster], to Eric [Butorac] also for giving us the opportunity to play... I have to say that we showed today that doubles is a great product... I think it was amazing to play on this court with so many people and I have to say thanks from the bottom of my heart for the atmosphere."