"It’s not a great time for me": Coco Gauff rules herself out of US Open mixed doubles after changes of rules

Women’s world number three Coco Gauff has taken an interesting stance about participating in the mixed doubles at the US Open after the change of rules. The fourth and final Grand Slam of the year in 2025 will have a new format for the mixed doubles competition.

This year, the tournament will feature 16 teams in the mixed doubles, exactly half of what the tournament had last year. That’s not it as the matches will now be organised in three sets with four games each and the tiebreak will be of 10 points. Only the final will consist of three sets where six games will be played between players. That’s not it as the competition will be held during the fan week.

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The move has received some backlash from some current players including the reigning winners Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori and America’s Reilly Opelka. Gauff, who is currently in Dubai to play in the Dubai Open, has been quoted in a report by The Tennis Gazette where she took an interesting position about playing in the mixed doubles. The one-time Grand Slam winner stated that she won’t be able to play in the mixed doubles because of the timing of the new format.

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“Yeah, the thing with that, it’s like an interesting situation because obviously I’m not a mixed doubles player,” she said. “Some rely on that income. Yeah, it’s an event that’s been there forever. On the other hand I know they’re trying to get more singles players involved, maybe grow the sport, grow that aspect of the sport. For me personally, I most likely won’t be participating just because it’s not a great time for me. I just think it will take away for the preparation from US Open. As someone who loves doubles, as you guys know I play a lot, it’s an interesting thing. I do think that it will maybe help grow that aspect of the sport, but also it takes away some opportunities for other players. It’s one of those things that I feel like I have to wait and see how it pans out over time, pans out after it happens and see how it can affect the sport in the whole. But yeah, I probably won’t be participating just because the timing isn’t a good time for me. I did like playing the tiebreak set last year that Ben [Shelton] and I did. That was a great alternative to do both.”

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