The All England Club has no plans to alter the format of Wimbledon’s mixed doubles competition in future years, despite the success of the revamped event at the US Open.
This year, the United States Tennis Association changed the mixed doubles format to attract top singles players—a move officials considered highly successful. The event featured pairings like Emma Raducanu with Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Świątek with Casper Ruud. Played before the men’s and women’s singles on a sold-out Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadium, it drew 78,000 fans. Though won by last year’s champions, doubles specialists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, many players expressed hope that other Grand Slams would adopt a similar approach.
“I think it would be cool if all the slams did this,” said Jack Draper, who reached the semifinals with Jessica Pegula. Raducanu agreed, saying, “It would be so fun if all the slams got involved and did something similar, even if not the exact same format. I think it was a huge success. So many fans got involved, so many people watching and tuned in. It got a lot of attention.”
However, Wimbledon organizers are content with the current format, which they see as an integral part of the tournament’s two-week schedule. Doubles generally draws larger crowds at Wimbledon compared to other majors. Still, the US Open’s success highlights how Wimbledon has fallen behind other Grand Slams in recent innovations.
The Australian Open, French Open, and US Open have all expanded to three-week events, with extensive programming during qualifying week. Wimbledon is limited by its delicate grass courts and lack of space at the All England Club—qualifying is held over three miles away in Roehampton.
To address this, the club is pursuing the Wimbledon Park Project, which aims to convert the nearby golf course into an extension of the grounds. This would allow on-site qualifying and the possibility of a pre-tournament week. The project, however, faces years of development and legal challenges, including a pending court decision on whether the land must remain dedicated to public recreational use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Wimbledons Mixed Doubles Format
Q1 What is mixed doubles in tennis
A Mixed doubles is a match where each team consists of one male and one female player competing together against another mixed pair
Q2 How is Wimbledons mixed doubles format different from the US Opens
A Wimbledon uses a traditional bestofthree sets format while the US Open recently introduced a faster shortened format with a 10point tiebreak in place of a third set
Q3 Why is Wimbledon not changing its mixed doubles format
A Wimbledon values tradition and believes its current format maintains the integrity and competitive nature of the event
Q4 Has the US Opens new format been successful
A Yes the revamped US Open format has been praised for making matches more exciting and viewerfriendly
Q5 What are the benefits of keeping Wimbledons current format
A It preserves the classic style of play tests players endurance and aligns with the tournaments historic identity
Q6 Are there any drawbacks to not updating the format
A Some argue it may make matches less dynamic or appealing to modern audiences who prefer fasterpaced sports
Q7 Could Wimbledon change its mind in the future
A While there are no current plans formats can evolve over time based on player feedback audience preferences and trends in the sport
Q8 How do players feel about Wimbledons decision
A Opinions vary some appreciate the tradition while others might prefer innovations for efficiency and engagement
Q9 Does the mixed doubles format affect scheduling at Wimbledon
A Yes longer matches can impact court availability and tournament scheduling but organizers account for this in their plans
Q10 Where can I watch Wimbledon mixed doubles matches
A They are broadcast on official platforms like BBC ESPN and the Wimbledon website depending on your location
Q11 Are there any rule differences in mixed doubles compared to other doubles
A The rules are largely the same except for the gender composition of teams and occasional format adjustments in certain tournaments
Q12 What makes mixed doubles special at Grand Slams like Wimbledon
A It highlights teamwork across genders adds variety to
