Emma Raducanu-Carlos Alcaraz US Open doubles pairing creating 'buzz', Nick Kyrgios and Naomi Osaka can do 'big things'
Published 11/07/2025 at 11:27 GMT+1
Nick Kyrgios feels he and Naomi Osaka can achieve "big things" as they join forces in the new-look US Open mixed doubles, which will see some of the biggest names in the men's and women's game team up in search of the $1 million prize. Kyrgios feels the shake-up is a "great innovation" for tennis and will boost the viewership of the mixed doubles, which is set to take place prior to the main draw.
Raducanu and Alcaraz create a 'buzz' around new US Open mixed doubles format - Kyrgios
Video credit: TNT Sports
The revamped format of this year's US Open mixed doubles is a "great innovation" for tennis, says Nick Kyrgios.
Kyrgios, who will be providing his customarily entertaining analysis for both Wimbledon singles finals on TNT Sports and discovery+ over the weekend of July 12-13, will be teaming up with four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka in New York as one of 16 teams comprised of the sport's biggest names.
Those also include Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Emma Navarro, and Aryna Sabalenka with Grigor Dimitrov.
With a $1m prize on offer to the champions, Kyrgios - who won the 2022 Australian Open men's doubles title alongside compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis - has given his take on the concept.
"As a doubles Grand Slam winner - it definitely doesn’t have the same ring to it as a singles Grand Slam winner - but with all these amazing pairings, I think it’s a great innovation for the sport of tennis," Kyrgios said, ahead of his appearance on the special 'Wimbledon Watchalong' shows for the singles finals, which you can watch live from 15:30 UK time on Saturday and Sunday on TNT Sports and discovery+.
"What other sport in the world can you have your favourite female athlete play with your favourite male athlete and compete for prize money and a Grand Slam trophy?
"So pairings like Raducanu and Alcaraz, they’ve created such a buzz around the sport and my partner, Naomi Osaka, I think we can do some big things. It’s an incredible event for tennis."
The initial list of entries has seen eight teams qualify via their singles rankings, while another eight teams were invited to compete. But the format has been met with a mixed reaction.
Reigning US Open mixed doubles champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori described the new approach as a "profound injustice," while former doubles No. 1 Kristina Mladenovic labelled excitement over the tournament as "embarrassing".
Kyrgios, however, feels that the new approach is positive, and will boost fanfare over the event.
"The US Open mixed doubles is going to be something special," he said.
"There are so many incredible pairings, it’s a great innovation for more fans to watch and watch their favourite players play together."
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Kyrgios: Alcaraz and Sinner will 'carry' men's tennis with Djokovic on his 'last legs'
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'I wish Wimbledon kept all the traditions'
The mixed doubles revamp is just one of a number of changes undertaken on the tennis tour this year. Another, which has been a consistent talking-point throughout the Wimbledon campaign, is the removal of line judges.
A Grand Slam which typically revels in its traditions, the All England Club has been subject to some change this summer with electronic line calls replacing the line judges which had been so renowned with the grass-court major.
Cameron Norrie and Frances Tiafoe are among players who have cited disappointment at the removal of the line judges, and Kyrgios said that while he is supportive of innovative change, he wishes Wimbledon would retain its traditions for a little while longer.
"All the changes in tennis are great," he said. "I think they’re innovative but personally I wish Wimbledon never changed it.
"I wish Wimbledon kept all the traditions this sport came with. It’s been here for 148 years, I think they could have waited for the 150 and done some big anniversary, kind of transition, but I understand it."
The new line-calling system has not been without controversy.
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Wimbledon highlights: Swiatek reaches first final as Sabalenka falls
Video credit: SNTV
The most notable error came in Sonay Kartal’s defeat to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Centre Court when an "operator error" meant the AI technology was turned off for one game.
During that game, a call was missed that prevented Pavlyuchenkova from winning a key point.
Wimbledon has responded to the incident by making a change that will remove the possibility of "human error".
Injury meant Kyrgios was absent for his third consecutive Wimbledon campaign this year. In his last appearance at SW19 in 2022, he was defeated by Novak Djokovic in the final.
Watch the special 'Wimbledon Watchalong' productions, featuring Nick Kyrgios and other stars, for the singles finals and daily 90-minute highlights shows live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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