The US Open mixed doubles lineup announcement has got everyone talking, but Coco Gauff is noticeably missing.
Tennis fans were in shock at the US Open’s announcement, which includes nearly all of the top 10 ATP and WTA players with only Gauff and Holger Rune missing.
This is all part of the overhaul to the mixed doubles tournament that the US Open was heavily criticised for earlier this year.
Gauff had suggested she wasn’t planning on playing it, but former world number one Andy Roddick has picked the team he would remove if she did.
Andy Roddick names the US Open mixed doubles team he would kick out if Coco Gauff wanted to play
The initial US Open mixed doubles lineup this year includes teams such as Carlos Alcaraz/Emma Raducanu, Iga Swiatek/Casper Ruud and Madison Keys/Frances Tiafoe.
While the tournament has previously received a lot of backlash, Roddick has supported the US Open’s decision and spoke on Tennis Channel Live about how he feels this lineup justifies their bold move.
“I have no idea, but anyone who has questioned this move from the US Open is wrong based on who is playing in this,” said Roddick. “If our goal in doubles, mixed, whatever it is, is to grow the game this is the win. This is the win, this is how it happens.
“This is absurd. I’ve always said tennis doesn’t really have like an all-star weekend, we don’t have that hype mechanism. You’re looking at an all-star weekend and this is going to be played the week before the US Open.”
The lineup that has been announced consists of the maximum 16 teams required for this tournament, and Roddick was asked who he would remove to make way for Gauff.
While Roddick does not think Gauff will choose to play, he suggested that Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios should make way for the Roland Garros champion if she did.
“It’s a tough look, like Coco has said I’m not going to do it, I’d like to see it for a year,” explained Roddick. “Coco has a million endorsements and that’s the problem with real estate in New York City for her before the US Open.
“I’d be surprised if she jumped in at this point, but I don’t want to be in charge of who you kick out of this draw. I mean Osaka/Kyrgios just based on recency, based on accomplishment. It’s tough to kick out the only doubles team, I think you have to have one. I don’t want to make that decision.”
Tracy Austin gives her verdict on the US Open mixed doubles lineup
Roddick was not the only person excited about this lineup announcement, with two-time US Open singles and Wimbledon mixed doubles champion Tracy Austin expressing her disbelief.
Austin also explained how the changes the US Open has made to the scoring system and big prize money will have played a big part in getting such a strong lineup.
“Unbelievable and three all-American teams, and remember folks this is during the qualifying week so basically the US Open has just become a three-week event,” said Austin.
“It’s over two days so that really entices all these big name players to play, because it’s not a week-long and they’re playing sets up to four, no ad, not gonna take much and by the way a million dollars on the line! So great move by the USTA.
“The doubles players [Sara] Errani, second from the bottom, and [Andrea] Vavassori they are the reigning champions at the US Open.
“Might be the only doubles pair that actually get in, but this is what the fans come to see. They want to see the [Jannik] Sinner’s, the [Carlos] Alcaraz’s, are you kidding me unbelievable names.”
The US Open mixed doubles tournament will take place on August 19-20.
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