Source : ABC NEWS
Nick Kyrgios has signed up for the US Open’s controversial new mixed doubles format in a blockbuster pairing with the tournament’s two-time women’s singles winner, Naomi Osaka.
Kyrgios has been tormented by a succession of injuries in the last two-and-a-half years and only played six singles and three doubles matches since the start of 2023, winning one of each.
But the prospect of the short-form event, and a star-studded cast, has persuaded him to enter along with a series of intriguing pairings.
Only two of the 20 current top-10 male and female players have to date declined to put their names forward in a victory for the organisers’ rebrand, the creation of which drew condemnation from regular doubles players including Australia’s Ellen Perez.
Men’s number one Jannik Sinner has paired with American women’s world number nine Emma Navarro and men’s number two Carlos Alcaraz with former US Open winner Emma Raducanu.
Women’s number one Aryna Sabalenka has linked up with men’s number 19 Grigor Dimitrov.
Men’s number nine Holger Rune and women’s number two Coco Gauff are the current top-10 players not to have entered so far, nor have Australian number ones Alex de Minaur and Daria Kasatkina. The entry window closes on July 28.
However, de Minaur said on Tuesday he and his British fiancee Kate Boulter, currently world number 39, were planning on doing so.
“We’re definitely going to be keen to try and play if they allow us to and if they want us to,” he said. “If that’s an option, then we’ll definitely be up for it.”
Sixteen teams have signed up, with the eight best combined singles rankings guaranteed a place along with eight wildcard entries.
Kyrgios and Osaka would need a wildcard, being ranked 633rd and 57th respectively, but given the revamp is aimed at attracting more fans, viewers and sponsors, there is little doubt such a high-profile duo would get one.
“Seeing the teams that have already put their names on the entry list makes us all incredibly excited,” US Tennis Association CEO Lew Sherr said.
“It shows that the players are behind what we are trying to do, and we know that the fans will love it.”
The attraction for many singles players is the shortened format and the timing, the event being played in the “Fan Week” before the main draw.
Most matches will be best-of-three sets played to four games instead of six, with a deciding point played at deuce. Tiebreakers would be at 4-4, while a first-to-10-points match tiebreaker would replace a third set.
The final would be played to six games but still with no-advantage scoring and a 10-point match tiebreaker.
This format, the selection criteria and the clash with singles qualifying are reasons why established doubles players are unhappy.
“Tell us that you think doubles players are trash, that tradition is overrated and job opportunity is a thing of the past without actually saying it,” Perez, a players’ council representative, posted on X at the time of the announcement.
Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who have entered but will need a wildcard given their singles rankings, said the changes were a “profound injustice” that disrespected doubles players, describing the new event as a “pseudo-exhibition focused only on entertainment and show”.
“Making decisions just following the logic of profit is profoundly wrong in some situations,” they added.
AAP
