Sam Querrey has fiercely hit back at those who have criticised the format change to the US Open mixed doubles tournament.
Ahead of 2025‘s edition of the New York-based Grand Slam, the event has decided to shake things up in a way that has never been seen before.
Coming into operation this year, their mixed doubles event will be played in what is known as ‘Fan Week,’ which takes place before the US Open officially commences.
There has also been a change to the format of the matches, which has led to a divisive reaction, but Sam Querrey is in favour of the idea.
Sam Querrey is in favour of the new US Open mixed doubles format
The new US Open mixed doubles competition will see the number of teams competing decrease from 32 to 16 teams.
Furthermore, during the first three rounds, teams will need to win up to four games to win a set, while the final will be played with regular sets. Querrey played both singles and doubles during his professional tennis career.
The 37-year-old understands how the game is played from both perspectives and he sees the positives to switching up the format.
Giving his very honest opinion on the format via the Nothing major podcast, Querrey says: “The doubles players can shut up. This is like the greatest initiative in tennis in like 10 years. This event is unbelievable.
“I bet there are 50 wildcard teams who are going to apply for this. This is the coolest event we have ever seen. Indian Wells and a few other events do these mixed doubles events and they are packed. I don’t know what players are going to play this.
“I don’t know if Alcaraz, Sinner, Sabalenka and Gauff are going to play. But I bet some of them do. I bet they are going to be into it.
“Can anyone tell me who won the mixed doubles at the US Open last year? Or the year before? No, you can’t. But when this is going on people are going to remember this.
“The first week of the tournament people are going to be like Badosa and Tsitsipas or Alcaraz and Sabalenka won this event. It’s unbelievable. I can’t wait for it. I am jealous we didn’t have this when we played.”
Rennae Stubbs disagrees with Sam Querrey about US Open mixed doubles change
One of those who does not agree with Querrey’s point of view or any others who support the idea is Rennae Stubbs.
The 53-year-old is a two-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion. Stubbs strongly disagrees with the decision and thinks it will impact some spectators at the event.
“I don’t understand this move,” she said on her self-titled ‘Rennae Stubbs’ podcast. “I put it in the week before the tournament, do not tell me it’s part of the tournament, it’s during qualifying.
“And it feels like a complete side show, it now feels like an exhibition of a mixed doubles event and that to me is not okay when it comes to handing out a Grand Slam title at the end of the day.
“I feel like in the second week of the US Open you struggle to have matches on the outside courts for people who buy a grounds pass and want to come and see the tennis. Now there is going to be a lot less matches going on out there.
“It feels like it’s an exhibition. And to four games? Like what are we doing here? It’s not a Grand Slam event any more, that’s how I feel. It’s not good.”
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
