Tim Henman has strong views about the revamped US Open mixed doubles tournament as the former six-time Grand Slam semifinalist finds it "disrespectful" to other main-level events and doesn't think at all that it should be regarded as a Slam competition.
The main draw action at the US Open hasn't yet started but the mixed doubles event is already over since it took place between Monday and Tuesday. The tournament consisted of 16 teams, of which eight got directly and the rest via a wildcard - top singles stars were preferred and the majority of the competitors were well-known names such as Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, etc. The Fast4 scoring format was used until the final and the tournament went pretty quickly.
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A bit ironically, this year's US Open mixed doubles title was claimed by Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori - the doubles specialists who were the champions last year and received a wildcard for this year's event only after delivering some harsh criticism about the format.
Henman slams the new US Open mixed doubles format
I disagree that, a) its a Grand Slam event; and b) with taking it outside of the two weeks [of the main tournament] because I think that is disrespectful for the tour events that are taking place on the WTA and ATP Tour in the week before the US Open, the former British tennis star told The Telegraph.
After making his point clear, Henman said the rules used during this year's US Open mixed doubles event are usually used during exhibitions. Also, the former 11-time ATP champion noted that the week before Wimbledon, the tennis clubs at Hurlingham and Stoke Park stage exhibitions that draw big names.
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This tournament (the US Open mixed doubles) very much devalues the title when it changes the scoring system, and it completely changes the entry system. But I understand that in mixed and regular doubles, the product is significantly elevated if singles players play. Theyre not normally going to do that at the majors because of physical demands," Henman added.
To the US Open organizers' defense, their mixed doubles tournament featured a large crowd. So in that department, their goal was successfully achieved.
