The U.S. Open is the only major that turns mixed doubles into a pre-show. It encourages unusual team pairings, presents a smaller field, and changes the rules so that the entire thing takes place in two days. Some folks complain that it’s disrespectful and a cash grab, and I can understand their complaints, but… I must admit I enjoyed the hell out of it. It’s hard enough to fit meaningful doubles action into the singles schedule; mixed was always an afterthought. This offers cheaper access (I think) for people who want to see an array of stars, and throws together folks like Sabalenka and Djokovic, Serena and Carlos, Andreeva and Rublev, and my personal favorites, Svitolina and Monfils. Some of the play was genuinely fantastic — the vibe was half-exhibition, half-intense — and it gives doubles as a genre great exposure that reminds people how fast-paced and fun it can be. I was wholly into it and really bummed when Svitolina/Monfils lost in the semis. I will miss watching him play. They should do this again.
We’ll talk more about the main field’s outfits when the tournament starts — CHOICES ARE BEING MADE — but I have Serena in here because I thought it was the only time we’d see her (I forgot she and Venus got a doubles wild card). She and Carlos Alcaraz won one and then lost in the second round, and seemed to have a ball while doing it. Every so often, she would rip a downright cruel forehand that makes me think that with another year of training, she could still compete, if that’s what she wants — or at least rejoin the doubles field long-term.
