“Why not organize an exhibition?”: Alizé Cornet voices strong criticism of revamped US Open mixed doubles
WTATuesday, 25 August 2026 at 23:00
Alizé Cornet has criticized the revamped US Open mixed doubles tournament, questioning whether the event should exist in its current form after shifting the focus toward some of the biggest singles stars in tennis. The Frenchwoman believes the new approach has come at the expense of doubles specialists and questioned why the event is not simply treated as an exhibition.
The 2026 mixed doubles tournament has attracted major attention during US Open Fan Week, with Carlos Alcaraz partnering Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic teaming up with Aryna Sabalenka. Other headline combinations include Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, adding further star power to a competition played before the singles main draw.
Introduced in its current format last year, the tournament relies heavily on singles rankings and wildcards rather than traditional doubles rankings. That has allowed leading singles players to enter without committing to a full doubles campaign, while several established doubles specialists have been left outside the main draw.
The approach has made mixed doubles one of the main attractions of the opening days in New York, but it has also raised questions about the role of doubles specialists. Cornet, who retired in 2025 after reaching a career-high No. 11 in singles, has now joined those questioning the direction of the event.
Cornet questions the new mixed doubles format
Speaking on RMC's Les Grandes Gueules du Sport, Cornet questioned why the US Open needed to reshape the discipline rather than create a separate exhibition featuring its biggest stars.
“Why not organize an exhibition?”
The Frenchwoman then focused on the players who have dedicated their careers to doubles, arguing that their professional status should not be overlooked simply because the US Open wants to attract more high-profile singles players.
For Cornet, doubles remains a legitimate discipline in its own right, with specialists depending on it throughout the season. “There are still doubles players who dedicate themselves to this discipline. It is their livelihood throughout the year, and they work hard for it.”
Cornet's criticism also extends to the commercial motivations behind the tournament. The US Open has placed the event during Fan Week, introduced a condensed format and offered a $1 million prize to the winning team, creating a spectacle built around some of the most recognizable players in tennis.
“We mustn’t mix everything together. It is really just a strategy to make money. It is no longer the US Open mixed doubles. It doesn’t look anything like what it used to be.”
Her strongest objection is therefore not simply that singles stars have entered the event, but that their presence has changed the competitive structure of a discipline that traditionally provided an important platform for doubles specialists. “It penalizes doubles players. It’s unfair. We should keep the two disciplines separate.”
US Open mixed doubles puts stars at center stage
Cornet's comments come as the US Open continues to promote mixed doubles as one of the main attractions of Fan Week. The 2026 field includes several combinations that would have been difficult to imagine in a traditional mixed doubles draw, with Alcaraz and Serena among the headline pairings and Djokovic joining Sabalenka.
SERENA WILLIAMS AND CARLOS ALCARAZ WIN ON THEIR TEAM DEBUT! 💜 pic.twitter.com/SgNgh7xd2e
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 25, 2026
The tournament's condensed format is designed to make participation more appealing to singles players. Matches are played before the singles main draw, allowing stars to compete for the $1 million prize without having to navigate a full traditional doubles campaign alongside their singles commitments.
The approach has generated significant attention around the tournament before the singles competition has even started. It has also given the US Open an opportunity to place its biggest names on court during a period traditionally dominated by qualifying matches and Fan Week activities.
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That success is precisely what makes Cornet's criticism relevant to the wider debate around the format. The US Open has found a way to turn mixed doubles into a headline attraction, but the change has also raised questions about whether the discipline should be used primarily as a showcase for singles stars.
For now, the tournament has clearly chosen the latter approach, with the biggest names in tennis occupying much of the spotlight. Cornet's comments underline the other side of that decision: the players who have spent an entire career specializing in doubles may have less room in the Grand Slam event that traditionally gave their discipline a prominent stage.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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