Coco Gauff was arguably the biggest name that did not feature in the US Open mixed doubles competition.
The revamped event took place over two days in the week leading up to the Grand Slam, with some of the top singles players taking part.
It was the defending champions, the specialised doubles team of Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who claimed the US Open title.
However, they did not face Coco Gauff on their road to victory, as the world number two was unable to enter the tournament.
Coco Gauff says sponsorship issues prevented her from playing US Open mixed doubles this year
The US Open mixed doubles event was played under Fast 4 rules, meaning teams only had to win four games to claim a set, and at 4-4 it would be decided with a tiebreak.
The final, which featured Errani and Vavassori taking on Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, was contested under standard rules of first to six games.
Despite criticism surrounding the event and the lack of doubles specialists involved, over 78,000 fans watched the US Open mixed doubles tournament.
Ahead of the women’s singles campaign at the US Open, Gauff told reporters what she thought of the revamped tournament and why she did not play.
“I definitely watched it. I did have some FOMO (fear of missing out). I love mixed doubles, and I did the one-set format last year with Ben, which was really fun,” Gauff said.
“I just had so much sponsor stuff this week, so I was just like I knew from the beginning that it wasn’t going to be a possibility for me.
“I’m someone who likes to win, and I’m locked in if I’m doing something. I knew I would try to be as locked in with that. I thought it was really cool and it was great to see the mixed doubles get the recognition that it needs.
“And yeah, I definitely think the format was great, but I definitely think for next year there can be some changes, maybe with the entry, just allow more doubles specialists to compete.”
Coco Gauff says if she will play mixed doubles at the US Open in the future
Gauff is an accomplished doubles player and her best result was winning the 2024 French Open alongside Katerina Siniakova.
Her best mixed doubles result at a Grand Slam was reaching the semifinals of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships with Jack Sock.
Gauff has not ruled out playing mixed doubles at the US Open in the future, but admitted it will be tough to make it work with her busy schedule in New York.
“I’m never going to shut anything down. There’s definitely a possibility for me to play in the future,” Gauff said. “New York is always tough for me.
“But if other slams catch on, I feel like it will be a little bit easier there.” Gauff will commence her US Open singles campaign against Alja Tomljanovic on Monday.
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