US Open Mixed Doubles: A Million-Dollar Tennis Star Spectacle

The sweltering August in New York is rivaled only by the heat radiating from the US Open committee as they tally their profits. With a million-dollar incentive, they’ve turned the mixed doubles into a singles stars’ exclusive funhouse.

Tradition? Sportsmanship? Those things don’t stand a chance against real money. Now, all you need in mixed doubles is looks, popularity, and trending appeal—this million-dollar tennis celebrity show is lighting up Flushing Meadows.

Even the most hypocritical capitalists need to put on a façade and craft a persona, if only to justify their actions. So this year, the US Open, under the banner of “mixed doubles reform,” has taken away many doubles specialists’ livelihoods, all while claiming it’s “what the market wants.” Pegula remarked, “No one told us anything, they just changed the rules and did what they wanted, and there’s nothing we can do.” At this moment, the “US Open mixed doubles reform” feels more like a royal decree, exposing nothing but the ruthless side of capitalism, with no pretense of dignity.

The real motive behind the reform is profit—to spend money to attract singles stars for a quick show, and then dig even deeper into the fans’ pockets.

Behind the million-dollar champion’s prize, US Open ticket prices have soared over fivefold. With the stadium packed, singles stars are having a blast, sponsors are delighted, the organizers are raking it in, and as for the hardworking doubles specialists—who cares what they think!

This scene is reminiscent of the old Beijing private opera parties: wealthy families inviting star performers to their homes just for the excitement. That’s why you’ll see Rybakina making wild volley errors, Djokovic breaking into a sweet dance after a passing shot, and Raducanu and Alcaraz embracing enthusiastically on court. Who’s the wealthy host? Who are the invited star performers? At this moment, it hardly matters.

The irony is, today’s performers are far more valuable, and their pay for just a couple of shows could equal what an ordinary person earns in a lifetime.

As expected, after the first day of mixed doubles at the US Open, social media was flooded with highlights and trending moments from the matches. Even before the tournament truly began, it had already captured everyone’s attention and dominated the flow of online traffic.

This year’s new mixed doubles rules are themselves quite ironic: using a four-game short set before the finals? That’s to protect the stars’ stamina! A 10-point tiebreak? That’s to fit TV ad slots! Finishing in two days? Because the big names’ schedules are packed!

So, this is hardly a professional competition; it’s purely a “celebrity exhibition match.” And when entertainment outweighs competition, who’s playing whom is up for debate. Tactics, teamwork, doubles chemistry—all of that is irrelevant compared to popularity and buzz. Fans just want to see Raducanu and Alcaraz exchanging glances, or tennis stars being dramatic on court—who cares if they can actually play doubles?

When Errani and Vavassori, who reached the semifinals, shouted in an interview, “We’re fighting for all the doubles players who couldn’t compete, and we’ll give it our all!” many fans could relate. This isn’t reform—it’s digging the grave for doubles tennis! One unnamed doubles veteran wrote in anguish, “They’re boiling soup with our bones, but won’t even let us have a sip.”

Now, doubles specialists are seriously considering switching careers: either become hitting partners for singles stars or make short social media videos for attention. In this era, being good at tennis is less important than knowing how to perform; no matter your skill, it’s better to be recognizable or have the right passport.

As organizers busily pair up tennis stars, fans obsess over celebrity couples, sponsors count their money, and the “Emmalitos” duo of Alcaraz and Raducanu takes social media by storm. When Sinner’s withdrawal led to rumors he wanted to team up with Serena Williams, the true nature of the US Open mixed doubles was revealed: it’s not about competition—it’s about buzz, and trending topics are the new measure of success.

While netizens and out-of-work mixed doubles pros express their protests and frustration, US Open tournament director Alastair’s statement could be considered a modern performance art masterpiece: “We’re saving the mixed doubles event.” As she spoke, footage of doubles experts being denied entry played on the screen behind her.

What’s even more ironic is that they genuinely believe they’re doing good, as if mixed doubles is beyond saving and they’re the “saviors.” This level of self-delusion is something every capitalist should aspire to.

“This isn’t the end of mixed doubles; it’s a preview of what’s coming for all of tennis. Soon, Grand Slam singles will have shorter formats, wild cards for celebrities, and algorithms deciding the champions—because all the audience wants is excitement, not tennis. Then, Djokovic might team up with an influencer for mixed doubles, and Federer’s records will be rewritten as the most social media interactions in history,” commented a veteran tennis analyst.

As the sport begins to morph—shifting from competitive athletics to a branch of the entertainment industry, from art to commodity, from spiritual pursuit to a game of popularity—by this time next year, we may see even more absurd scenes. But who will still care about those living at the bottom, scraping by on meager earnings?(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)