Kyrgios Withdraws from US Open Mixed Doubles Amid Controversy
The US Open has been making headlines, not just for the matches on the court, but for some surprising developments off it. Recently, it was announced that Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of the mixed doubles event, where he was supposed to team up with Naomi Osaka. This announcement has sparked plenty of discussion, especially because Kyrgios’s participation in the singles draw is now also being questioned.
The draw for the newly remodelled mixed doubles format was released by the US Tennis Association, and it revealed another disappointment for fans: Alex de Minaur, another top Australian player, was rejected from participating in the event alongside his British partner, Katie Boulter. De Minaur had openly requested a wildcard through social media, even pleading “pretty pretty please,” but his request was ultimately denied. Interestingly, despite several other withdrawals in the event, he remains the highest-ranked male player not included in the draw.
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Kyrgios’s decision to step away is hardly surprising to those who have followed his recent struggles. Over the past three years, he has been battling injuries, and just recently he shared that his knee is “cooked,” hinting at ongoing physical challenges. With his absence confirmed, the event has had to adjust several pairings. For instance, Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper have been elevated to the top-seeded position after their original partners withdrew. Draper, who is ranked fifth among British men, had been scheduled to partner Paula Badosa, while Pegula, the world number four in women’s singles, was set to play with American Tommy Paul.
Other notable changes have included Gael Monfils stepping in to partner Naomi Osaka, replacing Kyrgios, and veteran Venus Williams teaming up with Reilly Opelka, creating one of the most eye-catching duos of the tournament. The tournament’s format itself has been a topic of debate. Designed to attract new fans, it has introduced several modifications: sets are now won with just four games, no-advantage scoring has been implemented, and 10-point match tiebreaks replace third sets. Prize money has been significantly increased to $1 million, but critics argue that the changes favor entertainment over traditional doubles competition.
The event officially begins on Tuesday, with the first rounds and quarterfinals, leading into semifinals and the final on Wednesday. Despite the controversies, the organizers hope these changes will make the doubles format more exciting for television, social media, and sponsors. Meanwhile, players like de Minaur and Boulter must wait to see if circumstances in other tournaments, like Boulter’s ongoing play in Cleveland, might create a chance for participation.
All in all, the US Open mixed doubles has become one of the most talked-about events this year—not just for the on-court action, but for the reshuffling, withdrawals, and format experiments that have left fans and players alike watching closely to see how it all unfolds.
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