US Open mixed doubles boycott threat escalates as Sinner enters prize money battle

Jannik Sinner is among a group of leading players considering a boycott of the US Open mixed doubles event this year amid an ongoing dispute over prize money distribution at Grand Slam level, according to reporting from The Times.

The discussion forms part of a broader push from top players demanding a larger share of tournament revenue and greater influence in decision-making across the sport’s four majors. The mixed doubles event, recently revamped by the US Open, has become a central point in that debate.

Last year’s edition introduced elite singles players, including Sinner, Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu and Novak Djokovic, into a condensed mixed doubles format staged ahead of the singles draw, with the winning pair earning $1 million.

However, the same restructuring has now contributed to growing tension between organisers and players, with some viewing the event as an attractive financial addition, while others question its sporting integrity and long-term impact on doubles specialists.

The potential boycott is linked to a wider dispute over revenue distribution at Grand Slam tournaments. Players have requested that majors allocate 16 per cent of total revenue to prize money this year, with a long-term target rising to 22 per cent by 2030.

The issue has already led to visible tension during the European clay swing. At Roland Garros, top players limited their pre-tournament media obligations to 15 minutes, referencing what they argue is an imbalance in revenue sharing, estimated at around 15 per cent for players.

At Wimbledon, organisers recently agreed to increase total prize money by 20 per cent to £64.2 million, a record uplift of £10.7 million compared to the previous year. However, the increase still fell short of the £71 million requested by players, leaving the underlying dispute unresolved.

Players publicly welcomed the Wimbledon adjustment but indicated that it did not address their broader structural concerns. The situation suggests continued negotiations rather than a resolution, with pressure now extending into the US Open build-up.

The US Open mixed doubles debate is also shaped by the tournament’s structure and calendar positioning. The main US Open event begins on 23 August with qualifying rounds, while the main draw starts on 30 August, placing the competition at the end of the summer hard-court swing.

In the revamped format introduced last year, the mixed doubles event was staged during the week leading into the singles main draw, effectively creating a separate pre-main-draw window designed to attract top singles players without directly interfering with their preparation for singles competition.

The intention behind the scheduling was to encourage participation from elite players by reducing physical strain during the core singles tournament while increasing visibility for doubles.

The revamped US Open mixed doubles event has become a focal point of disagreement within the locker room. The format increased prize money, shortened match structure, and placed elite singles players into a draw traditionally dominated by doubles specialists.

Some players have welcomed the changes, citing increased financial rewards and greater visibility for matches played ahead of the singles competition. Organisers have also promoted the format as a way of raising the profile of doubles tennis within a Grand Slam setting.

However, critics argue that the changes distort competitive balance and reduce opportunities for dedicated doubles players to compete for significant earnings. The inclusion of high-profile singles players has intensified that concern.

The $1 million prize on offer in 2025 was ultimately won by a specialist pairing of Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who defeated Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in the final — a result that has since been used as an example of both the strength of traditional doubles teams and the tension created by the revamped format.

The divide has now escalated into potential action, with reports suggesting that some of the sport’s leading figures, including Sinner, could use the event as leverage in ongoing negotiations with Grand Slam organisers. The US Open, which has positioned the mixed doubles event as a showcase addition to its schedule, may now face renewed pressure ahead of the tournament.