Which big stars are not competing at the revamped US Open mixed doubles event

There is much anticipation ahead of the newly formatted US Open mixed doubles event, held from the 19th-20th August in fans' week. It has been changed so that many of the top singles players in the world can compete for a huge prize pot where the winning couple takes home $1 million.

The event has been revamped due to the organisers wanting to get more people watching mixed doubles. It is not just some of the players who have changed, but a whole new scoring system has been implemented just for this competition. Sets will conclude at four games, with no advantages at deuce. If it climaxes at a third set, then it will be settled by a 10-point tiebreak.

It has come under criticism by many players and fans, with doubles players being overlooked for singles stars, but despite all of this, many will tune in with curiosity to see how the best tennis players in the world fare in different surroundings. Despite this, there are a select few top players who will not feature in this event.

Recently, world number two Coco Gauff revealed why she will not be participating. The two-time Grand Slam champion has stated that she was honoured to be asked to join the stacked cast, but rejected the offer in favour of a free week ahead of the US Open. Gauff won the title back in 2023 and will be looking to improve on a frustrating fourth-round defeat last year to fellow American Emma Navarro.

In a different scenario, Jack Draper and Paolo Badosa will also not feature. This is closely entwined with the Spaniard's recent back injury, which has also sidelined her for the main draw. Badosa had first been paired with partner Stefanos Tsitsipas, but after their relationship seemed to turn sour, she paired up with British number one Jack Draper, who in turn dumped Olympic champion Zheng Qiwen. The Chinese star also shares injury concerns, which will not see her compete in the mixed doubles, but it is likely we will see her at Flushing Meadows.

Many other players who wanted to feature may not have the chance. To get into the tournament, you either need to have the highest ranking or be picked as a wildcard. With two wildcards still to hand out, some big-name players may miss out completely.

This includes Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios. They were originally one of the favourites to receive a wildcard, but unfortunately for the pair, their chances have decreased. Part of this is due to Kyrgios' injury problems, recently stating his knee is 'cooked'. After an unsuccessful feature at Washington, it is looking increasingly unlikely that the pair will not compete. Couple Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter have seen their offer rejected. The world number eight will be the highest men's singles player not to feature in the event.

A similar scenario may occur for world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who, despite eventually agreeing to enter with Grigor Dimitrov, may be waved away. They failed to be picked for the final draw, and with two wildcard spots left, they will be hoping to be put in. Sabalenka has had previous success in doubles, being the former number one with Elise Mertens.

The highest-ranked pair for the competition are Jannik Sinner and Emma Navarro, who have a combined ranking of nine. Reigning Wimbledon champions Iga Swiatek has teamed up with three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Rudd, while last year's US Open finalist Taylor Fritz is looking to go one step further with Elena Rybakina. The American has recently revealed that he believes they are the favourites to win the competition.

Amanda Anisimova will team up with Danish star Holger Rune, number three in the world, Alexander Zverev partners Belinda Bencic, American pair Jessica Pegula and Tommy Paul look to excite the home crowd, while Russians Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev complete the eight direct entry teams.

If Draper were to find another partner, then they would be reinstated with these teams. If not, then it could open the door for another pair to take advantage.

So far, six wildcard entries have been confirmed, led by the anticipated partnership of number two in the world, Carlos Alcaraz and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu. The pair's off-court chemistry has got a lot of people talking about them, with both regularly spreading positivity about the other.

The other wildcard entries include three American teams, with Ben Shelton looking to add to his recent maiden Masters 1000 title with the world number one-ranked doubles star, Taylor Townsend. Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe join forces while Venus Williams prolongs her return to tennis as she partners up with Reilly Opelka. Novak Djokovic has also entered the event, teaming up with fellow Serbian Olga Danilovic. Last year's reinging champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori have also been granted access, with the Italians previously slating the event on social media.

Two wildcard spots still remain to be chosen, likely within the next few days.