Wimbledon has decided it will not follow the US Open’s approach of hosting a star-studded mixed doubles tournament despite a plea from Emma Raducanu.
The US Open organisers deviated from tradition by scheduling the mixed doubles over two days in the week preceding the main tournament, offering one million US dollars to the winners to attract the sport’s biggest names.
Despite criticism within the tennis community, the event was deemed a massive success, drawing large crowds and generating significant interest and global exposure. While other grand slams have taken note, it is understood by the PA news agency that Wimbledon has no plans to adopt a similar format.
Unlike other major tournaments, Wimbledon does not open its doors to the public in the week leading up to the tournament, with qualifying rounds taking place off-site at Roehampton.
Doubles matches are also very popular among Wimbledon spectators, with the majority of recreational players in Britain favouring this format, meaning the empty seats seen at other slams are less of an issue.
The All England Club’s expansion into the neighbouring park will provide Wimbledon with more options, but the project is currently embroiled in a planning dispute and such discussions are far off in the future, reports the Express.
It seems unlikely that the French Open would follow the US Open’s lead, while sources at the Australian Open, known for driving innovation, have already indicated they do not plan to alter their mixed doubles event in a similar manner.
Wimbledon’s position will let down Emma Raducanu, whose pairing with Carlos Alcaraz generated considerable interest.
She endorsed the format after appearing on Arthur Ashe Stadium, commenting: “I think it would be so fun if all the slams got involved and did something similar.”
The main complaint was that doubles specialists, who typically comprise the bulk of the mixed field, were mostly shut out – though the sole such pairing, Italian title holders Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, proceeded to triumph.
The condensed format, meanwhile, sparked debate over whether it deserved a grand slam crown.
Britain’s Henry Patten, who has claimed doubles championships at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, held conflicted views.
When questioned about Raducanu’s backing, he remarked: “I’m sure Emma is probably up for it. I know a lot of the mixed doubles players, along with the potential for the pay cheque, were paid appearance fees to play it.
“So, if you want to have to pay players to play grand slams, then why not? But, if you want to keep it kind of traditional and how it has been, which I think is what Wimbledon kind of stands for and is famous for, then probably not.
“It unfolded precisely as we anticipated. It was a tremendous triumph. It was pleasing to witness a doubles team claim victory. Hopefully next year they’ll allow a few more of us to participate.”
One particularly keen advocate was Billie Jean King, who has long championed closer cooperation between the men’s and women’s circuits. “I got to be here and watch it live, and it was fantastic,” said the 39-time Grand Slam champion.
“This is what happens, the women realise the men can make mistakes too, but the men go, ‘God, you’re a lot better than I thought you guys were’.
“What it does is it brings people more together and they start to respect each other more and then obviously the two that won, won the mixed doubles last year, so they’re playing for all the other doubles players. There was a lot of emotion going on there and pride. I love it.”
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