The US Open mixed doubles event has already experienced notable withdrawals, and more may come after a tight schedule following this week’s prestigious tournament in Cincinnati.
This final major event before the year’s last Grand Slam concludes on a Monday, as the lengthy formats of the ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tournaments extend over nearly two weeks.
With the current tournament starting mid-week due to extended men’s and women’s events in Canada, the conventional weekend finish for tennis events has been disrupted ahead of the US Open’s warm-up events.
Though the journey to New York isn’t strenuous for players accustomed to traveling, those who reach the Cincinnati finals face a tough choice: after a grueling final on Monday, they’ll need to be in Flushing Meadows for the revamped mixed doubles event starting the following Wednesday.
Carlos Alcaraz is set to team up with Emma Raducanu in that event, while Jannik Sinner will partner with America’s Emma Navarro.
Should we witness another Alcaraz vs Sinner showdown in the Cincinnati Masters final on Monday, both players may lack the desire to compete in mixed doubles the following day in New York.
If rain delays the final in Cincinnati, the situation would become even more complicated, possibly influencing the decision of the top male players regarding participation in the mixed doubles at the US Open.
Iga Swiatek is also advancing in Cincinnati, facing a quick transition if she continues her streak. Meanwhile, Coco Gauff has decided to forgo the lucrative mixed doubles event to focus on preparing for her singles competition at the US Open next weekend.
