Andrea Petkovic gives courtside review of US Open Mixed Doubles event, highlighting chemistry between each team

Although the revamped 2025 US Open mixed doubles event had its detractors, the tournament seemed to be well-received by fans in the stadium. Former WTA star Andrea Petkovic was among those who witnessed the event from the stands, prompting the German star to share details bot captured by the cameras on her US Open blog.

The mixed doubles event controversially only featured on established doubles team, defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori. The rest of the field was made up of top-ranked singles players from the ATP and WTA tour, banding together in an attempt to won the $1,000,000 prize.

High-profile teams included the pairing of 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and compatriot Olga Danilovic, in addition to Polish superstar Iga Swiatek and Norwegian ace Casper Ruud. American Jessica Pegula partnered with British star Jack Draper, while WTA icon Venus Williams returned to Grand Slam action as she teamed with countryman Reilly Opelka.

With so much pressure on them being the only "true" doubles team, the Italian pair of Errani and Vavassori would eventually win the event. The duo defeated Swiatek and Ruud in a thrilling final, cementing their place in history as they represented doubles players around the world.

The former World No.9 provided on-site analysis for ESPN, as she mingled with the crowd at the stadiums. Petkovic would later take to her personal blog, Finite Jest, to speak on the chemistry between players, pointing out Ruud's understanding nature towards Swiatek's tics.

"What I liked most about the Casper/Iga pairing is how Casper seems to understand Iga’s quirks," wrote Petkovic. "Her shadow swinging and the nervous energy she gives off, the intensity and the hiding her face under the hat in certain moments.
"For regular Finite Jest readers, it’s not a secret that I, too, have a weakness for Iga and it was so lovely to see Casper being a comfort to her, making her feel safe and seen and what do you know, all of a sudden Iga relaxed and some of the quirks disappeared. Casper Ruud seems to take people as they are and we could all learn from him."

Furthermore, Petkovic would highlight the almost psychic connection between eventual champions Errani and Vavassori.

"And then, of course, there were Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori," continued Petkovic. "Propelled to stardom through this new format that was meant for single’s players. Don’t you love the universe’s sense of humour? Watching them from close up was a mesmerising experience if for nothing else but to see Sara, all 5’5 of her, yell at her 6’4 partner Andrea and him taking it with laconic nods as if to say: This is exactly what I need right now.
"They seem connected in profound ways, both able to read each other’s minds like a long married couple that finishes each other’s sentences. When one leaves a space open, you can be certain that the other will move into it seamlessly as if it was never open in the first place. They triumphed under the lights of New York’s sky to the applause of 23.000 people and the Gods smiled."