Key Takeaways
- The US Open is making a major change in mixed doubles, luring in big stars, changing the dates, and increasing the prize money.
- Doubles standout Taylor Townsend spoke to RG about the shift as she pairs up with Ben Shelton for the upcoming event.
- “I mean, it’s obvious what they’re trying to do when you look at the roster. Whether it’s what’s best for the players or what’s fair is another conversation," Townsend said.
Ashlyn Krueger and Taylor Townsend of Team USA celebrate a point during the Billie Jean King Cup Finals (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images for ITF)
NEW YORK – The world No. 1 in doubles is “excited” about the risks the US Open is taking with the mixed doubles competition.
“It’s admirable to take a risk,” American Taylor Townsend told RG Media in an interview, weighing in on a change that’s been stirring controversy since it was announced.
The US Open went bold with one of the most drastic changes a Grand Slam has made in recent years: turning the mixed doubles tournament into what Townsend calls “almost like an exhibition.”
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) managed to lure nearly all the big stars by shifting the dates, tweaking the format, and offering a $1 million cheque to the champions. The controversial part? Singles stars’ interest has pushed doubles specialists to the sidelines. So far, Townsend and defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are the only doubles specialists confirmed in the draw.
“I mean, it’s obvious what they’re trying to do when you look at the roster. Whether it’s what’s best for the players or what’s fair is another conversation,” said the two-time Grand Slam doubles champion.
Townsend added: “A lot of people are afraid of what they don’t understand. But it’s also admirable to take a risk. It’s easy to just keep doing the same thing, go with the flow. This is a big risk by the USTA and the US Open, and now we’re all just watching to see how it plays out.”
“It’s like an invitational, and that makes it hard for players who’ve earned the ranking to qualify. But it’s also something that’s never happened before — nothing like this has ever taken place at a Grand Slam. The US Open is being incredibly innovative. It’s a chance to see how mixed doubles is perceived, how the viewership responds. There are a lot of factors to assess.”
“I’m a bit on the fence. I’m excited to play it so I can experience it firsthand and have something concrete to say. I’ve played mixed doubles regularly — I just made the final of the French Open — so I have that experience. I’ll be able to speak from both sides, which is a unique perspective, because not everyone will get that chance. I plan to go into it objectively, weigh the pros and cons. I’m someone who’s not afraid to say, ‘I don’t think this is a good idea,’ and explain why.”
Townsend will pair up with the in-form Ben Shelton, fresh off winning the singles trophy at the Canada Masters 1000 in Toronto.
“His dad told me Ben said, ‘Taylor’s the only one I want to play with.’ We have a mutual understanding — I love Ben to death — so I’m excited to be back on the same side of the court with him.”
And if they face power duos like Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, Jannik Sinner and Emma Navarro, or Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilovic, Townsend says she’s ready: “With Ben, we’re going to bring all our energy. I’m not scared. I’m the kind of player who doesn’t care who’s on the other side of the net.”
