Mixed doubles change has fan week booming at US Open even before main event gets underway
The magnitude of the announcement Saturday — and the way one singular briefing reverberated throughout the tennis ecosystem — said it all.It captured everything that the U.S.
Open’s fan week, and specifically its 16-pairing mixed doubles tournament, had become.There was the revelation that Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion and one of the greatest doubles players of all time who recently restarted her career after retirement, would pair with Carlos Alcaraz, the 23-year-old phenom already with seven Grand Slam titles to his name.There was the “Let’s gooooo!” with a flame emoji that Alcaraz posted to X, signaling some palpable excitement from the Spaniard returning from an injury.The U.S.
Open isn’t just about the main draw anymore.As a revamped event last year, the mixed doubles tournament took off, and when fan week returned Sunday — with its staple events set to pick back up Monday — at Flushing Meadows, it remained one of the featured pieces for spectators.But before the spotlight of mixed doubles, the early stages of fan week will unfold.
Spectators can enter the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for free to attend open practices, qualifying matches — which run from Monday through Thursday — and more by registering for a pass online, while premium tickets are available for mixed doubles and other special events.Cultural dance performances and other family-friendly activities will take place throughout the week.
Marvel will have daily comic book giveaways.Fans can buy their first Honey Deuce of the season or their seventh.And Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., five-time U.S.
Open champion Roger Federer will share the court with Andre Agassi, John McEnroe and Andy Roddick — the last American men’s tennis player to win a Grand Slam tournament back in 2003 — in a ticketed exhibition at Arthur Ashe Stadium.The six-day fan week attracted 239,307 fans last year, according to the U.S.Open — marking a 10 percent increase from 202...