'bold' Us Open Gets Everyone Talking About Mixed Doubles

"There is only 1 point successful life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about."

Oscar Wilde was not talking astir mixed doubles tennis. But his quote could easy beryllium applied to an arena which immoderate felt needed caller life breathing into it.

The US Open's determination to revamp its mixed doubles - enticing nan singles superstars pinch lucrative rate incentives, a shortened format and slot earlier nan different main draws - surely sewage group chatting.

Previously, it would beryllium mislaid and mostly forgotten successful nan midst of finals weekend.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) opted to make an innovative move - but it divided sentiment among those who emotion nan sport.

"I cognize it created a batch of guidance and [it was] somewhat bold to do it," said three-time Grand Slam singles finalist Casper Ruud, who teamed up pinch six-time awesome champion Iga Swiatek, finishing runners-up.

"You can't reason that it's not been awesome for nan fans."

Was attracting nan large names an effective measurement to pull much eyeballs connected nan sport? Yes.

Did it besides rip distant a 138-year contented and rob astir master doubles players of a changeable astatine a awesome title? Yes.

In nan end, nan curtain-raising arena - dispersed complete 2 days successful what is traditionally qualifying week - led to a fitting last connected which polarising narratives hung.

Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, nan defending champions and only recognised doubles pairing successful nan 16-team event, were aiming to triumph for nan greater bully of their discipline.

One of their peers, Australian subordinate Ellen Perez, said for galore erstwhile saying she had "never felt much Italian" arsenic she supported them.

Losing to Swiatek and Ruud - who had ne'er played together earlier this week - would person been a rustle for nan doubles community.

Instead, Errani and Vavassori's triumph made nan lawsuit to find room for much doubles specialists if, arsenic expected, nan format returns adjacent year.

"We showed that doubles is simply a awesome merchandise and successful nan early we request much trading and visibility," Vavassori pleaded to nan US Open decision-makers.

Ultimately, nan two-day doubles statement - wherever courtside DJs pumped up nan crowd and encouraged a raucous ambiance - will beryllium considered a success.

Britain's Jack Draper, who is classed 5th successful nan ATP singles rankings but has constricted doubles experience, said he thought it was a "great" event.

"If I wasn't playing nan mixed here, I'd beryllium training. I for illustration playing connected a large tribunal successful beforehand of people. It gets your oculus successful quicker," he said.

After nan opening day's action, Draper made a Freudian gaffe which initially proved rather telling.

Draper was playfully scolded by his partner Jessica Pegula for describing nan new-look arena arsenic an "exhibition" - a connection utilized disparagingly by its detractors.

But, pursuing their semi-final exit, Draper was keen to constituent retired nan arena did not consciousness for illustration a deed and giggle aft all.

"[On Tuesday] location were times wherever it felt a small spot much that measurement from our opponents," he said.

"Whereas coming we were successful nan changing rooms, you're seeing Iga and Casper, they're for illustration afloat dialled in. It was intense."

The fans connected nan crushed successful New York besides demonstrated their appetite for thing different.

On nan opening day, nan 25,000-seater Arthur Ashe Stadium was astir two-thirds afloat erstwhile A-List pairing Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz walked retired to a popular star-style reception.

For Wednesday's semi-finals and final, wherever face-value tickets ranged from $50 (£37) to $262 (£195), it was conscionable short of a afloat location pinch only a slither of quiet seats astatine nan very back.

Ticket-holders Hilary Hamm and Maria Segovia - ardent tennis fans who person antecedently travelled from New York to Wimbledon and nan Australian Open - admitted they person seldom watched mixed doubles successful nan past.

"Moving it from finals play and making it a standalone arena caught our attention," said 32-year-old Maria. "If it is going to summation crowd engagement, past I'd decidedly to spot much events for illustration this."

Hilary, besides 32, added: "I deliberation it's been amazing. Watching nan women starring nan antheral partners has been peculiarly inspiring and shows tennis needs a beardown mixed gender title featuring nan stars."

The guidance of fans online was much mixed, pinch immoderate readers' comments connected nan BBC Sport website's pre-tournament study piece peculiarly critical.

One described nan arena arsenic "a complete farce", while different said it was a "shameful idea".

A canvass successful nan portion showed 70% of our readers thought nan overhaul was a bad move.

The bully news for purists is nan different 3 Grand Slams - nan Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon - are thought improbable to travel suit successful nan adjacent future.

Tennis Australia is arsenic as bold arsenic its American counterparts, but it does not person nan aforesaid financial clout to connection nan upland of prize money and sweetening quality fees.

Neither does nan French Open aliases Wimbledon. Also, nan 2 oldest Grand Slam tournaments are mostly besides much reluctant to deviate from time-honoured traditions.

Draper, 23, is among nan group would for illustration to spot much change, saying it would beryllium "cool" if each nan fields adopted a akin approach.

He tin beryllium judge nan power-holders successful Melbourne, Paris and London will person been watching nan New York trendsetters pinch intrigue.