The US Open mixed doubles event has captured widespread attention due to its controversial revamp, culminating in Italian doubles specialists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori defeating singles stars Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud to win the title and a $1 million prize. This victory highlights the success of the new format while sparking debates about the role of doubles in tennis.
Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, professional doubles players from Italy, successfully defended their US Open mixed doubles crown by overcoming the high-profile pairing of Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in a thrilling final that ended 6-3, 5-7, 10-6. The match took place at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York and concluded late on Wednesday night, August 20, 2025, attracting a near-capacity crowd that stayed until midnight to witness the intense showdown.
The event occurred during the 2025 US Open, with the mixed doubles competition scheduled before the main singles draws. The US Open introduced a ‘reimagined’ format this year, featuring a shorter scoring system in early rounds and a new timing slot to increase visibility and attract top singles players. This included a significantly increased prize pool of $1 million for the winners, up from $200,000 last year, aimed at drawing stars like Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic.
Errani and Vavassori, who were initially not guaranteed entry due to their low singles rankings but received a wildcard, emerged as the only dedicated doubles pair in the 16-team draw. They navigated through matches against star-studded teams, including Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilovic, as well as Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, who were eliminated early in the competition.
The format change sparked outrage among doubles specialists who felt sidelined, with Errani and Vavassori themselves criticizing the move in a joint statement before the tournament, calling it ‘profoundly wrong.’ Their victory was seen as a vindication for doubles players, proving their tactical superiority and highlighting the value of dedicated doubles expertise in a field dominated by singles stars.
After winning, Errani dedicated the victory to all doubles players who couldn’t participate, while Vavassori stated they were on a ‘mission’ to represent their peers. Swiatek humorously acknowledged in defeat that doubles players are smarter tactically than singles players, adding a light-hearted note to the competitive atmosphere.
The finals night had a festive yet intense environment, with DJs providing a New York-inspired playlist, crowd interactions like Dance Cam, and celebrity appearances such as Anna Wintour. The semi-finals were particularly fierce, with Ruud even calling for a VAR-style check on a shot, indicating the seriousness and high stakes of the competition.
The success of this revamped event suggests it may become a permanent fixture, with organizers likely to continue the format in future years. Vavassori emphasized the need for more marketing and visibility for doubles tennis, hoping this event sparks greater interest and investment in the discipline, potentially leading to more inclusive opportunities for doubles specialists.